15 goals in 3 games
©Niklas Heiden
When the Eimsbütteler TV coach set off from Lokstedter Steindamm towards Heeslingen on Sunday morning at 11:05 a.m., the starting point was clear: Another 90 minutes, investing everything again – then the dream of the regional league could become reality. And it became a reality. With the third win in the third game (all highlights can be read in the LIVE ticker). With the third impressive appearance in the third comparison. With 15:4 goals. And as the first and only team to have won all three promotion games to the Regionalliga Nord to date.
After two impressive victories against Germania Egestorf/Langreder (4:1) and Todesfelde (5:3), the Hamburg team had achieved an excellent starting position. Even a defeat by three goals would have been enough. But ETV trainer Can Schultz announced in advance that they wanted to stay true to their DNA.
Showed a really strong performance and scored two, if not three goals: Tom Politz. Photo: Niklas Heiden
At 12:54 p.m. the entourage reached the tranquil stadium in Heeslingen. Concentrated, focused and full of anticipation for the big moment. After just a few seconds, Max Mbodje made the first exclamation mark (1st). But Blumenthal also showed his danger early on: Alejandro Kellnar missed the lead by just centimeters (2nd). After that, however, the ETV increasingly took over command. The Hamburg runner-up controlled the ball and opponents, won the important duels in midfield and repeatedly put Blumenthal under early pressure. The best opportunity of the opening phase belonged to Mbodje, who suddenly appeared free in front of goalkeeper Marlon Vogt after a serious mistake in Blumenthal’s defense. But the BSV keeper remained the winner in the direct duel. Not just in this encounter.
Red card: Blumenthal weakens himself
With every minute the superiority of Schultz’s protégés became clearer. Leonard Mai, Tom Politz, Samuel Olayisoye – the ETV kept getting closer to the lead. And with a triple chance. But either a few centimeters were missing, the crossbar was in the way or Vogt prevented his team from falling behind. Then came the 38th minute. After a reckless entry with a stretched leg against Jasper Hölscher, referee Luca Sambill (Lübeck) without hesitation pulled out the red card against Dennis Brendow. Clear thing. From then on, Blumenthal had to continue playing while outnumbered!
Toralf Hense scored his third brace in the third promotion game. Photo: Niklas Heiden
ETV in aluminum pitch
Deep into stoppage time in the first half, Jean de Chatrie Doegl conjured up a cross from the right into the penalty area. Jon Pauli sent the header as a high arc towards the corner. The ball already seemed unsustainable. But Vogt scratched him with a world-class save from the left crease. The rebound fell right in front of Toralf Hense’s forehead. He headed at the empty goal from two meters – and hit the post (45th +3). 0:0. Halftime. But it was already noticeable at this point: this team was ready to make history. Ready to crown an outstanding season with renewed promotion. The path to the regional league was within reach.
Captain Bamo Karim broke the Eimsbüttel goal ban. Photo: Niklas Heiden
Captain Karim breaks the spell
And after the break, the path was followed consistently and without any detours. Captain Bamo Karim broke the spell with the back of his head after a corner from Pauli (55th). As a result, things went like clockwork. And it only went in one direction. What Mbodje and Pauli, whose deflected attempt landed at the top left of the post, missed after great preparatory work by Politz, Karim did better in the second attempt – 2-0 (62nd). The rest was a lively show by the flawless Eimsbüttel team. Pauli fed Hense, who welded the ball through his opponent’s legs into the far corner (65′). And it was Hense who kept his head in a Politz volley – 4-0 (76th). Third double pack in the third promotion game!
Shortly before the end, the extremely strong Politz even increased the lead to 5-0 (89th) after a fine individual action from Abdul Alassani and an unsuccessful Pauli shot. And it was Politz who, after a left cross from Emre Töremis, completed half the dozen with a direct pass. Ending! The rest was pure Eimsbüttel party.