Hamburg relegated after 55 seasons in Bundesliga
May 12, 2018
Hamburg SV's record of being the only ever-present team in the German Bundesliga top flight came to cruel end on Saturday.
Despite beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 in the last game of the season, Hamburg needed already relegated Cologne to defeat Wolfsburg to have any chance of surviving.
That good fortune never looked like coming, however, with Wolfsburg running away 4-1 winners. The Wolves will now face a relegation play-off against the third-best from the second Bundesliga flight, Holstein Kiel.
Read more: Bundesliga: Hamburg relegated, Borussia Dortmund limp into fourth
Hamburg had taken an early lead through Aaron Hunt before Gladbach's Josip Drmic levelled the score just before halftime. HSV went in front again just after the hour mark through a curling strike from Lewis Holtby.
Even after going down to 10 men following Bobby Wood's dismissal in the 71st minute, Hamburg continued to hold on, hoping for a miracle that ultimately never came.
"This is an extremely painful moment for the entire Hamburg SV," said club President Bernd Hoffmann. "The club has lost one of the things that makes it unique."
Read more: Bundesliga club Hamburg: From European glory to relegation and riots
HSV relegation further marred by crowd trouble
Hamburg's Bundesliga farewell match was marred by crowd trouble late on, as supporters threw flares onto the field as it became clear they were heading for the drop. As a huge plume of black smoke rose out of the stadium, authorities were forced to halt the match just minutes from time. Dozens of riot police, including several on horses, charged onto the pitch and lined up in front of the Hamburg fans.
Most fans reacted with anger to the disturbances, chanting "We are the people of Hamburg and you're not!" and "Get them out!"
Play resumed 15 minutes later, if only for the referee to blow the final whistle and confirm Hamburg's relegation.
Several HSV fans, as well as a handful of players, broke down in tears at the end. The northern club's famous stadium clock that showed the clubs 54 years and 260 days in the top flight will now have be reset.
The writing was already on the wall for the six-time German champions, after last week's 0-0 draw against Mainz. After the final whistle, HSV supporters booed and chided their players, with chants of "Relegated, relegated!" ringing through the Volksparkstadion.
Read more: Opinion: The kids are alright — Hamburg's youngsters show change is possible
dm/rc (dpa, SID, AFP)