Serious injuries in the storm: HSV fan reports on the chaos
The fans of Hamburger SV have been waiting for this moment for years. On Saturday evening the HSV made the 6-1 home win against Ulm Return to the German Bundesliga perfect. But the promotion ceremony was clouded. In the Volksparkstadion, fans jumped from the stands and stormed the field. 25 people had to go to the hospital, 19 were seriously injured, one even life -threatening.
It was only very narrow at times and some people did not consider.
Gerd Schmidt
HSV fan
A few Luxembourgers also ran to the square to celebrate with the other followers. « The mood was already enormous during the game. I have been HSV fan for 30 years and have not yet experienced something like this.
The secretary of HSV Fans Lëtzebuerg was with 13 other members of the fan club in the stadium. « We planned this for a long time and were glad that we received all the cards we had applied for. Tickets were offered on the black market for up to 4,000 euros, » he says.
Long night
Schmidt only found out of the many injuries hours later. « I didn’t even notice that on the square. It was only very narrow at times and some people did not take any consideration. I didn’t panic, » says the 42-year-old.
The HSV fans celebrated the promotion in the Volksparkstadion. Photo: dpa
After the game, Schmidt and the other fans celebrated in the Volksparkstadion until midnight before the party continued elsewhere. « After that we were on the neighborhood until six o’clock. It was all pretty peaceful. » It was a special trip for Schmidt and the other Luxembourgers. « It is a shame that so many injured themselves, but for me personally, the rise of one of the most beautiful moments was a HSV fan. »
The HSV explodes « like a bottle of champagne » in the party
The secretary of the 113 member strong fan club around President Eric Leyder regularly goes to Hamburg. Three bus trips are organized per season, in which up to 40 fans take part. There are also trips in smaller groups. Schmidt expects that the rush will increase after returning to the Bundesliga.
Fanclub President Eric Leyder (right) was also in the stadium on Saturday. Photo: private
Hamburger SV has been playing in the second division since 2018 and has always narrowly missed promotion in recent years. From the coming season it will be back against top teams like FC Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, but probably again against FC St. Pauli. HSV fan Schmidt only disturbs the fact that a Luxemburger is under contract with the city rival with Danel Sinani. « I think it’s a shame that he doesn’t switch to us. He is a good player. »
