Hannover 96 have inflicted the next home blow on Hamburger SV and have returned to the promotion battle of the 2nd Bundesliga.
But the sporty side of Lower Saxony’s 4:3 (2:1) took a backseat due to renewed fan protests against the planned entry of an investor into the German Football League. The game was interrupted for more than 30 minutes in the second half before being abandoned by referee Sören Storks.
The trigger was three banners in the guest block with portraits and a crosshair each – including the head of 96 managing director Martin Kind. These banners apparently ensured that the referee sent the teams into the catacombs after about an hour of play.
In addition, the 96 supporters had displayed banners with the inscriptions “CVC & Blackstone puppets of Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing”, “Consistent action in the face of personalized threats of violence” and “Game interruption now”.
Eventful second half
The start of the second half had already been delayed because some supporters from HSV’s north curve had managed to lock heavy bicycle locks on the posts of a gate. The locks could only be removed using a power cutter. Objects also flew onto the field.
In terms of sport, both teams offered a thrilling northern duel. Nicolo Tresoldi (11th), an own goal from Guilherme Ramos (21st) and ex-Hamburg player Louis Schaub (32nd) put Lower Saxony in the front before the break.
Laszlo Benes (24th) scored the next goal at short notice with his eleventh goal of the season. Substitute HSV defender Dennis Hadzikadunic (47th) shortened the score in the second half. Robert Glatzel (86th) managed to equalize.
In the final minutes plus 16 minutes of stoppage time, Hamburg had to play outnumbered after the red card for Benes (88th). Sebastian Ernst took advantage of this to score the guests’ acclaimed winning goal. To make matters worse for HSV, Hadzikadunic later received a yellow-red card.
With their third win in a row, Hannover moved within two points of third place in the promotion relegation zone. Hamburg, on the other hand, had to accept their third defeat in a row at their home Volksparkstadion, but initially remained second in the table.