Two clear 3-0 wins
Things couldn’t have gone better for both teams last weekend. Hamburger SV won a clear 3-0 win over Karlsruher SC, Freiburg also won their game against VfL Bochum 3-0.
HSV already with three cup triumphs
Traditional Hamburger SV has already won the DFB Cup three times: in 1963, 1976 and 1987. SC Freiburg would be in the final for the first time if they won.
Streich: “Totally competitive game”
For both clubs, winning the cup would be an absolute dream. Freiburg coach Christian Streich could crown his life’s work in Breisgau with such a triumph, Hamburger SV could forget the problems of the dull everyday life in the second division.
As expected, Streich refused to talk about unlaid eggs. “I do not want to talk about it”he replied to the question about the importance of participating in the final: “It’s not good when you’re already talking about things that aren’t done yet.” The main thing for him in the preparation of the game was to classify his protégés.
Freiburg doesn’t need arrogance
Because although the SC is playing an outstanding season and the first participation in the Champions League is within reach, he wants to nip any hint of arrogance in the bud. “It’s about going to Hamburg with humility. It’s going to be a hard-fought game right up to the last minute.”said Streich: “Nobody should get the idea that we will be clearly superior in Hamburg.”
Coach Tim Walter sees Hamburger SV as an underdog. “The roles are clearly divided. Freiburg is on the way to the Champions League and we are fighting to get promoted to the Bundesliga and want to reinvent ourselves.”said Walter: “One should always put into perspective the fact that the opponent is playing a league higher and that we, as a second division side, are already nominally the challenger.”
57,000 fans in the Volkspark
For the first time in more than two years, HSV has a sold-out stadium with 57,000 spectators behind it. “It’s going to be a nice fight”Walter explained. “The sensation is possible”said Robert Glatzel, HSV’s top scorer with 18 goals: “It’s going to be an incredibly awesome game. I can’t wait to finally play in front of a full house.”