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Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Pitch invasion leaves fan with life-threatening injuries as 25 taken to hospital
Hamburg earned promotion to the Bundesliga and saw a dramatic pitch invasion and jubilant celebrations but a number of fans had to be taken to hospital in the aftermath of the occasion Hamburg's promotion celebrations saw 25 people taken to hospital with one suffering life-threatening injuries. A 6-1 win over Ulm confirmed the side's return to the Bundesliga and resulted in a pitch invasion that saw the Volksparkstadion swarmed by supporters. The Hamburg Fire Department revealed 25 people had been taken to local hospitals with 19 suffering serious injury and five more minor injuries. A total of 44 people required treatment with 65 medical and emergency personnel deployed "After the final whistle, football fans stormed the stadium, resulting in injuries to several fans. The Hamburg Fire Department launched a major emergency medical response to support the emergency services on site," a statement said. 'Since then, 44 patients have received medical treatment. Five with minor injuries, 19 with serious injuries, and one with life-threatening injuries were transported to nearby hospitals." Before the final whistle went, the stadium announcer asked supporters to reamin off the field. But people entered the pitch from all sides in europhic scenes as fans and players celebrated together. Flares were fired and flags flown across the pitch as some dug up turf and others clambered upon goalposts. Hamburg's stars eventually took to the stands with a microphone to continue celebrations and 90 minutes following the match led chants as the party continued. But unfortunately, an emergency medical response was required to deal with the fallout. Hamburg's win over Ulm saw promotion secured with a game to spare and they sit atop the table, one point ahead of second-placed Koln. Tom Gaal had provided the visitors with the lead before Hamburg swiftly hit back for a comfortable win. "It's indescribable," said 34-year-old Hamburg boss Merlin Polzin. "Something had been building in the background. We're back. "In the end, it's the result of incredibly hard work. A very special moment." "When the final whistle went and everyone stormed the pitch, I simply stood there and took it all in," said Davie Selke. "I've been in football for a few years now, but I have never experienced anything like what I did today. I'm just so happy and proud that we have got promoted, and deservingly so, and brought HSV back where it belongs. It's a pleasure to be a part of it." While the match marked Hamburg's return to the top-flight, it ended on a more sombre note for Ulm. The defeated side saw their relegation to the third-tier confirmed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hamburg promotion ends seven-year Bundesliga absence
Hamburg have earned promotion back to the Bundesliga to end a seven-year absence from the German top flight. Needing a win to confirm their return, the six-time German champions thrashed Ulm 6-1 at home on Saturday and fans engulfed the pitch at the Volksparkstadion at the final whistle to celebrate. Hamburg, who are one of only three German clubs to win the European Cup, were relegated from the Bundesliga for the first time in 2018. "It's indescribable," said 34-year-old coach Merlin Polzin, whose side are a point clear of second-placed Cologne at the top of Bundesliga 2 with one game left. "Something had been building in the background. We're back. In the end, it's the result of incredibly hard work. A very special moment." Hamburg thought they had earned automatic promotion in 2023 when they beat Sandhausen 1-0 to move into the top two of Bundesliga 2 on the final day of the season. However, Heidenham scored a 99th-minute winner in their game to leapfrog Hamburg, who finished third and went on to lose a promotion-relegation play-off to Stuttgart. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hamburg return to Bundesliga after seven-year absence
Fallen German giants Hamburg won automatic promotion to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence with a 6-1 home thumping of lowly Ulm on Saturday. As the full-time whistle went, fans in the 57,000-strong Volksparkstadion stormed the pitch to celebrate with the players. One of only three German clubs to win the European Cup, the precursor to the Champions League, and a six-time league champion, Hamburg were relegated for the first time in their history in 2018. Coming into the game needing a victory to guarantee promotion, Hamburger Sports Verein, abbreviated as HSV, fell behind after seven minutes when Ulm's Tom Gaal scored, but hit back three minutes later through Ludovit Reis. After Ulm missed a 36th-minute penalty, Hamburg calmed their nerves with two quick goals before half-time through Ransford-Yeboah Koenigsdoerffer and Davie Selke. Ulm conceded an own goal from Philipp Strompf early in the second half before Koenigsdoerffer added another. Daniel Elfadli scored with four minutes remaining to put Hamburg on course for the top flight after 2,555 days. The return was piloted by rookie coach Merlin Polzin, 34, who was born in the city and grew up as a Hamburg fan. The coach disappeared from the pitch almost immediately after the match, returning shortly afterwards. Asked by Sky Germany if the emotions got to him as a long-time fan of the club, Polzin said he was summoned by the call of nature. "I had to rush to the bathroom -- I couldn't hold out any longer. But who cares, we did it -- HSV is back." "It's indescribable. Something had been building in the background. We're back. In the end, it's the result of incredibly hard work. A very special moment," Polzin said. The coach confirmed his contract was immediately extended with promotion, but Polzin said "that's the last thing on my mind -- we've been promoted!" Despite resources which dwarf many top-flight teams, Hamburg were unable to return to the top division, finishing fourth three times and third twice. The victory took Hamburg one point clear of Cologne atop the Bundesliga 2 table. Cologne, relegated last season, need at least a point in their final match next week to join Hamburg in the top flight. Also on Saturday, Holstein Kiel and Bochum were confirmed relegated from the top division. Ulm's defeat seals their relegation to the third tier alongside Jahn Regensburg. dwi/ea
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hamburg promotion ends seven-year Bundesliga absence
Hamburg have earned promotion back to the Bundesliga to end a seven-year absence from the German top a win to confirm their return, the six-time German champions thrashed Ulm 6-1 at home on Saturday and fans engulfed the pitch at the Volksparkstadion at the final whistle to celebrate. Hamburg, who are one of only three German clubs to win the European Cup, were relegated from the Bundesliga for the first time in 2018. "It's indescribable," said 34-year-old coach Merlin Polzin, whose side are a point clear of second-placed Cologne at the top of Bundesliga 2 with one game left."Something had been building in the background. We're back. In the end, it's the result of incredibly hard work. A very special moment." Hamburg thought they had earned automatic promotion in 2023 when they beat Sandhausen 1-0 to move into the top two of Bundesliga 2 on the final day of the Heidenham scored a 99th-minute winner in their game to leapfrog Hamburg, who finished third and went on to lose a promotion-relegation play-off to Stuttgart.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hamburg return to Bundesliga after seven-year absence
Hamburg fans ahead of Saturday's home clash with Ulm. Hamburg won to seal a return to the top flight after seven years. (Ronny HARTMANN) Fallen German giants Hamburg won automatic promotion to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence with a 6-1 home thumping of lowly Ulm on Saturday. As the full-time whistle went, fans in the 57,000-strong Volksparkstadion stormed the pitch to celebrate with the players. Advertisement One of only three German clubs to win the European Cup, the precursor to the Champions League, and a six-time league champion, Hamburg were relegated for the first time in their history in 2018. Coming into the game needing a victory to guarantee promotion, Hamburg fell behind after seven minutes when Ulm's Tom Gaal scored, but hit back three minutes later through Ludovit Reis. After Ulm missed a 36th-minute penalty, Hamburg calmed their nerves with two quick goals before half-time through Ransford-Yeboah Koenigsdoerffer and Davie Selke. Ulm conceded an own goal from Philipp Strompf early in the second half before Koenigsdoerffer added another. Daniel Elfadli scored with four minutes remaining to put Hamburg on course for the top flight after 2,555 days. Advertisement Despite resources which dwarf many top-flight teams, Hamburg were unable to return to the top division, finishing fourth three times and third twice. The return was piloted by rookie coach Merlin Polzin, 34, who was born in the city and grew up as a Hamburg fan. "We've suffered some really tough setbacks as a team, but we've always bounced back," Polzin said before the match. "That gives me a very, very good feeling and confidence that we can make tonight a very special evening." The victory took Hamburg one point clear of Cologne atop the Bundesliga 2 table. Cologne, relegated last season, need at least a point in their final match next week to join Hamburg in the top flight. Also on Saturday, Holstein Kiel and Bochum were confirmed relegated from the top division. Ulm's defeat seals their relegation to the third tier alongside Jahn Regensburg. dwi/ea
