For the first time in almost eight years, Hamburger SV and Werder Bremen are meeting in the northern derby in the Bundesliga – a delicate task awaits the police.
Merlin Polzin looks grumpy. “To be honest, my boys are fed up and so am I,” says numerous posters accompanying a photo of the Hamburger SV coach that were hung up before the northern derby against Werder Bremen in Hamburg: “This will be the next black day in the history of Hamburger SV, we have to be that honest.”
But of course Polzin never said that, suspected Werder fans apparently made a joke with the fake posters in the rival’s territory before the eagerly anticipated duel on Sunday (3:30 p.m.). And the police are doing everything they can to ensure that on Sunday there will be nothing but teasing between the supporters of the two traditional clubs, who are considered enemies.
“Our top priority is to prevent uncontrolled clashes between fan groups,” said police spokesman Holger Vehren to the Hamburger Abendblatt: “We will therefore be on site with an appropriate contingent of forces.” The security forces are expecting around 1,200 violent fans, but the police are keeping secret how many officers will be on duty at the risky game.
HSV wants to defy the cup exit
HSV against Werder – there is hardly any more tradition in German football. Of course, the best times for both clubs are a bit behind them, but the northern derby has hardly lost any of its appeal.
“The fans have been hot for weeks,” said Werder captain Marco Friedl, especially since on Sunday – after HSV’s long time in the second division – the Nordderby will be taking part in the Bundesliga for the first time in almost eight years.
And HSV will probably be under a little more pressure on Sunday in front of their own fans in the, of course, sold-out Volksparkstadion. After all, Polzin and Co. have already lost the city derby against FC St. Pauli this season, and during the week they also lost the DFB Cup against second division club Holstein Kiel. “But that doesn’t throw us off track at all,” says Nicolai Remberg and promises the fans a reaction on Sunday: “That’s very important for each of us.”
There’s no question that the Volksparkstadion will be a cauldron – especially since HSV wants to make it into the midfield of the table. “It will be extremely loud and an incredible atmosphere,” says Friedl: “We have to be there right away.” This definitely won’t work with full pants.