Before the derby against St. Pauli
Schonlau makes HSV fans hot: “Shows who the city belongs!”
Updated on 29.08.2025 – 6:45 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Sebastian Schonlau has long been in Vancouver, but the derby doesn’t let him go. His message to the HSV in front of the city duel will electrify the fans.
From Vancouver, Sebastian Schonlau greets his former teammates at Hamburger SV. The 31-year-old ex-captain contacted the HSV and its trailer with an emotional video message, one day before his former club meets City Rives FC St. Pauli for the first time in the Bundesliga.
In the video, the defender thanked the HSV, the coaches, employees and, above all, fans for the time together. But the most important message followed: “Show tomorrow who the city really heard,” Schonlau appealed before the derby on Friday evening (8:30 p.m./Sky).
Born in Rostock, a week ago, the Vancouver Whitecaps moved to Major League Soccer, where he now Team colleague from Bayern legend and 2014 world champion Thomas Müller is. Schonlau had not voluntarily completed his farewell from Hamburg – the association and head coach Merlin Polzin had made it clear to him in the Bundesliga without planning.
In his four years at HSV, Schonlau experienced six derbies in the 2nd Bundesliga. With three victories, a draw and two defeats, his personal record against St. Pauli is positive. However, the defensive specialist will only be able to pursue the historical first Bundesliga derby since February 16, 2011.