The serial winner HSV is "far from finished"

If it weren't for Hamburger SV, one would probably have to ask: Who or what is supposed to prevent this team from the long-awaited promotion to the Bundesliga? This club has been in a severe leadership crisis for several months. The ever-new and increasingly serious allegations against CFO and shareholder Thomas Wüstefeld culminated in the entrepreneur's resignation just two evenings before the spectacular 2-1 (1-1) win at Hannover 96. But the team just keeps winning as if none of this had anything to do with their HSV. There are now five wins in a row in the current season. Even eight away wins in a row if you add the past season.

Nothing in recent weeks has probably illustrated "the spirit of the team" (captain Sebastian Schonlau) more than the energy performance of substitute Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer in injury time of the Hannover game. Deep in his own half of the field, the 21-year-old conquered the ball and ran a solo run of around 70 meters before scoring the winning goal in front of almost 10,000 fans who had traveled with him. "I wanted the goal - then I got it," said the striker. This is HSV in autumn 2022.

However, everyone knows the history of this club. In autumn 2020, 2019 and 2018, HSV was already thought to be on its way back to the Bundesliga. And now he's still the big attraction of the second division. And so the coach Tim Walter almost yelled himself hoarsely on the sidelines during the exciting 90 minutes in Hanover, while afterwards he said cautiously: "We're up there, that's nice. But we still have a few game days. We keep working. Because we're far from done."

Walter and his colleague Stefan Leitl from Hannover 96 have known each other for years. Both played against each other when they were young and both completed the month-long training course to become a football coach together. In the past few days it was mainly Leitl who repeatedly explained the difference between HSV 2022 and HSV 2020, 2019 or 2018. "You saw today where HSV is and where we are," said the 45-year-old: "We are at the beginning of a development." But the Hamburgers finally had their squad, their coach and their game idea for a longer period of time detained. They are therefore simply ahead of the competition.

It also cannot be denied that a HSV player hardly knows anything other than the permanent background noise and the quarrels within the club. "We cannot influence everything that happens around us," said Jonas Meffert in Hanover. There will probably always be "something to hear".

Wüstefeld's resignation will probably help the team more than harm in the long run. In the internal power struggle, players and especially coach Walter were always on the side of sports director Jonas Boldt, who is now running the operative business alone for the time being. And Boldt and Walter are currently providing arguments week after week to extend their expiring contracts soon.

The spectators celebrated, but the team was dissatisfied: FC St. Pauli's 0-0 draw against 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday evening is not the hoped-for liberation that the Kiezkicker team need in the 2nd Bundesliga. Coach Timo Schultz's team hasn't won for six games and can't get out of the bottom half of the table.

A moderate eleven points after eleven games are no proof of quality. The Hamburgers are missing the goals after another pleasing performance. Last season they had Guido Burgstaller as their enforcer, this season there is no scorer. "I have to work with the players who are there," said Schultz at Sport 1. "We have to keep working and hope that the ball goes over the line."

Due to the draw, the Heidenheimer missed to approach a promotion place to within two points. They remain fifth, four points behind. In addition, they have been waiting for a win against Hamburg for six games now. Coach Frank Schmidt had demanded before the game: "It's about time we won against St. Pauli again." The coach said: "We had better chances." absolutely deserved draw.”

In the first half, the Heidenheimers lost their initial advantages against Hamburg, who were increasingly strong in the tackle and aggressive, and switched to counterattacks. The more powerful team was St. Pauli, but could not use their chances. Their attacking game was pleasing, but lacked precision. After the change of sides, the guests became more offensive. Adrian Beck had the best opportunity when he hit the crossbar (54').

St. Pauli coach Schultz, who had to do without his captains Jackson Irvine (suspended) and Leart Paqarada (injured), has to be prepared for uncomfortable times. President Oke Göttlich had reprimanded the team's yield a few days ago. However, the coach was satisfied "how the boys step on the gas and created chances". That's why Schultz is certain: "The trend is going in the right direction."