Hamburg (dpa) – The jubilant Freiburg professionals put on red final shirts and celebrated exuberantly with their fans. The sports club is going to the DFB Cup final in Berlin, while Hamburger SV’s cup dream is over.
Frustrated, the HSV players came together in a circle on the pitch. “Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin,” sang the Freiburg fans, not the Hamburg fans. The Bundesliga team was clearly superior at 3: 1 (3: 0) over long stretches of the first semi-final.
“It’s indescribable, we’re making history,” said goal scorer Nicolas Höfler on ARD. “We are happy that we were able to take the step.” It’s “brutally a lot of fun” and the team can “achieve a lot this season”. Streich said: “I can’t even say what was going through my head. I saw the fans and I was happy that the trip was worth it.”
Nils Petersen (11th), Höfler (17th) and Vincenzo Grifo (35th, penalty kick) scored the goals for the guests. The final opponent of the Champions League aspirant in the Berlin Olympic Stadium on May 21 is either RB Leipzig or 1. FC Union Berlin, who will meet this Wednesday (8.45 p.m. / ARD and Sky). “We’re playing against the winner, I don’t care at all,” said Höfler.
“We have tried everything”
For Hamburg, for whom Robert Glatzel (88th) scored, a conciliatory end to a mediocre season in the 2nd division with the probably missed promotion again is as good as obsolete due to the bitter defeat. Since their cup victory in 1987, the Hanseatic League have been waiting for a place in the final and a big title. “Freiburg was extremely effective,” said Moritz Heyer. “We tried everything. The atmosphere was outstanding.”
For the hosts it was the first game in a sold-out stadium in more than two years. The fans celebrated from the start, and the HSV pros were initially carried away. The second division played very well for the first ten minutes – and conceded the early goal. Petersen headed in after a corner, HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes was previously unlucky with his fist defence.
“Unique club – get into the final”
The sports club, which had reached the semi-finals for the second time since 2013, immediately pushed for the second goal. “Unique club – get into the final” was written on a banner by the Freiburg fans who had traveled with them, officially 6,000. A risky pass by Heuer Fernandes preceded the 2-0 through a deflected long-range shot by Höfler. Suddenly only the SC fans could be heard in the stadium.
After the second goal conceded, the Hamburgers defended themselves as best they could. Anssi Suhonen had his first good chance in the penalty area, but was denied by Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken (26′). A little later, referee Deniz Aytekin awarded a penalty on the other side of the field after using the video evidence. Heyer accidentally hit the back of Nico Schlotterbeck’s head in the penalty area. Grifo sure transformed.
“We’re going to Berlin via Hamburg”
The Freiburgers did not comment on the media reports about an alleged agreement between Schlotterbeck and Borussia Dortmund for the coming season. The 22-year-old performed well in central defence.
“We’re going to Berlin via Hamburg,” echoed the Freiburg fan block. An alleged goal to 1:3 from Hamburg’s point of view by Suhonen did not count because of an offside position (38th).
HSV tried to keep up with the Bundesliga club well into the second half. The Hamburgers approached mainly on the right side with Bakery Jatta. But Freiburg played cleverly – and again and again offensively. Three or four SC professionals were waiting for mistakes in the Hamburg build-up. Roland Sallai only hit the side netting (54′). Sonny Kittel missed the goal for HSV (68′), Glatzel’s goal came too late. Freiburg’s Ermedin Demirovic failed at the post (90th).