HAMBURG, Germany – After enduring a challenging seven-year absence from top-flight football, Hamburger SV has triumphantly secured its place back in the Bundesliga. The team achieved this by delivering a stunning 6-1 victory over Ulm in the German second division match on Saturday.
Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer played a pivotal role by scoring twice, while goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes provided a crucial penalty save. This emphatic win propelled Hamburg to the division’s summit, putting them four points ahead of third-placed Elversberg with just one game remaining in the season.
“We’re back!” declared an elated Hamburg coach, Merlin Polzin. The Hamburg native took charge as an interim coach in November following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart. His efforts have been recognized, and he has confirmed his continued role for the top division.
Hamburg’s rich history in the Bundesliga, playing continuously since its inception in 1963, earned it the nickname “der Dino” until relegation came in 2018. Each season since, Hamburg flirted with promotion but stumbled at crucial moments. The club finished fourth in its initial three second-division seasons and twice placed third, only to lose the playoff against the team occupying the third-bottom spot in the Bundesliga. Another fourth-place finish last season further delayed their return.
Saturday’s match was a must-win for Hamburg to guarantee an automatic promotion spot by finishing among the top two. Enthusiastic supporters lined the streets to cheer the team bus on its way to the stadium, creating an electrifying atmosphere with chants, cheers, flags, and flares.
However, an early scare came when Ulm defender Tom Gaal scored in the seventh minute, potentially signaling another heartbreak. Yet, Hamburg promptly responded, and Ludovit Reis leveled the score just three minutes later. Fernandes’ penalty save lifted the team further, and before the break, goals from Königsdörffer and Davie Selke solidified their lead.
Hamburg’s dominance continued in the second half when a mishap from Ulm’s goalkeeper Niclas Thiede led to an own goal, confirming it was Hamburg’s night. Königsdörffer’s second goal in the 62nd minute erased any doubts, and Daniel Elfadli rounded off the scoring spree.
Despite Ulm’s relegation to the third division, waves of ecstatic Hamburg fans streamed onto the field, celebrating their team’s long-awaited promotion to the Bundesliga.