Hamburger SV started the new second division season with an away win. Thanks to a double goal scorer from Königsdörffer, the Red Shorts won 2-1 in Cologne.
Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer took advantage of Jonas Urbig’s mistake. IMAGO/Team 2
The traditional duel between Cologne and Hamburg took place in Müngersdorf at the start of the 51st second division season. The FC had a new coach in Gerhard Struber, but due to the transfer ban, no new external recruits were made. However, the two loan returnees Urbig and Lemperle could feel like they were, both of them were in the starting eleven.
Urbig in particular had a disastrous start to the season, after six minutes he let down a shot from Dompé that was actually harmless. Königsdörffer thanked him and scored an early lead for HSV, which was extremely flattering at the time. FC had already had two great chances, resulting from mistakes by Hamburg, which Ljubicic and Huseinbasic failed to capitalize on (3rd, 4th).
2. Bundesliga – 1. matchday
Unimpressed by Urbig’s mistake, Cologne continued to apply pressure, HSV stood very deep at times but initially didn’t allow any more shots on goal. Steffen Baumgart had sent the Rothosen onto the field in a 3-4-2-1 formation, and the two new signings Elfadli and Karabec were given their chance. Hamburg’s most dangerous attacking players, meanwhile, continued to be Dompé and Königsdörffer, who made Urbig sweat twice (16th, 18th).
Königsdörffer increases – Lemperle fails
Even though both teams were repeatedly inaccurate in their attacking play, the game was always fast-paced. That adjective was particularly true of Dompé, who repeatedly overran Thielmann on the left and thus posed a threat. After Ljubicic failed to put another Cologne shot in the net, the ball rang out a second time on the other side: Karabec crossed to the head of Königsdörffer, who was initially stopped by Urbig and the crossbar, but put the follow-up shot in the net (35′).
HSV were ice-cold, but ran into a counterattack shortly before half-time. Lemperle had a shot from close range after a one-two with Huseinbasic, but was stopped by Heuer Fernandes, who made a strong save to hold on to the 2-0 half-time lead (45.+2).
Joker Maina shortens
The match remained just as intense after the restart, but both teams’ play slackened more and more. Cologne worked tirelessly to score a goal, while HSV waited for a decisive counterattack. Unlike in the first half, there was no clear finish for a long time, but Lemperle tried for FC with a header and from distance (54th, 59th).
As time went on, Cologne increasingly ran out of ideas, and HSV was able to defend all of the crosses – until the 78th minute: Ljubicic’s cross found the head of substitute Maina, who finished powerfully and ensured an intense final phase.
HSV barricaded themselves in their own penalty area, and Cologne sent one cross after another into the danger zone. However, the home team lacked the power to break through, so HSV remained goalless even in the nine minutes of added time.
The opening game of the 2024/25 second division season went to the Rothosen, who will face the next highlight on matchday 2. On Saturday evening next week, HSV will host Hertha BSC, while Cologne will be playing away in Elversberg a few hours earlier.
