Hamburger SV prevented 1. FC Heidenheim from being promoted early and can still hope for a direct return to the Bundesliga. Coach Tim Walter’s team secured at least participation in the relegation with a 2-1 (1-0) win against the saved SpVgg Greuther Fürth on the 33rd match day of the 2nd division and is one point behind Heidenheim in second place high.
Left-back Miro Muheim gave the previously nervous home side the lead in front of 56,500 spectators in the sold-out Volksparkstadion in the 27th minute with a well-placed long-range shot. Laszlo Benes made it 2-0 after a foul on striker Robert Glatzel (69′). Lukas Petkov (84th) scored the goal, then HSV professional Bakery Jatta (yellow-red / 87th) and Fürth Dickson Abiama (red / 90th + 6) flew off the field.
Before the eyes of club icons Felix Magath, Uli Stein and Manfred Kaltz, whose triumph in the European Cup celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 25th, the starting position was clear. HSV needed the home win. Heidenheim had presented in the afternoon with a 1-0 win over relegated SV Sandhausen.
Fürth, on the other hand, was able to play freely, the cloverleaf was already saved by Arminia Bielefeld’s draw. And coach Alexander Zorniger’s team showed from the start that they would resist. Busy striker Ragnar Ache had the first chance of the game (25′).
At the beginning of the second half, the Franconians worked persistently to equalize, HSV did not always appear sovereign on the defensive. Only the second goal calmed the nerves – at least until the shaky final phase.