Hamburg SV

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As reward for beating Nürnberg 2-0 away on Saturday, the HSV coach Huub Stevens gave his players Sunday and Monday off, to recharge their batteries ahead of the final game of the season at home to already relegated A lemannia Aachen (19.05.07, kick off 3.30 pm). Although there was no training on the schedule on Monday, some players turned up at the training complex anyway. David Jarolim and Vincent Kompany jogged together through the nearby Volkspark.

René Klingbeil did some weight training while Collin Benjamin spent some time with a physiotherapist: "We want to pay our fans back in the last game of the season and we are prepared to give everything in order to do so", said the man-mountain defender Bastian Reinhardt, shortly before attending the opening of a kindergarten in Neuwiedenthal with Rafael van der Vart . If HSV beat Aachen and other results go their way, HSV could creep into the Intertoto Cup at the very last minute, Now that would be worth giving everything for.

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As was the case last season, the club has arranged an end of season event, which will begin after the final game of the 2006/7 season at home to already-relegated Alemannia Aachen on Saturday May 19th (kick off 3.30 pm). The event will take place at the Westplaza and promises to be a hit with young and old. Fans will have a chance to win 2 VIP tickets for HSV's first home game of the 2007/8 season. The players will also attend the event held outside the AOL Arena. There will be plenty of live music for people to enjoy as the bands Maggers United, Hamburger Jungz, Abschlach and Heimatkind feat. Dennsen strut their stuff on stage. Thanks to the support of sponsors Holsten and Aramark, half a litre of beer will cost only 2,50 Euros. Proceedings will end at 8.00 pm.

[Oliver_Kahn]

The name of Erik Meijer stands for a never say die attitude and of course... goals. The former Liverpool striker played for HSV for three seasons. Towards the end of his playing career, the former HSV crowd favourite gained promotion from the second division with Alemannia Aachen. At the end of that season the Dutchman hung up his playing boots. On Saturday, Meijer returns to the AOL Arena as Co-trainer with already-relegated Alemannia. Erik kindly agreed to an interview with hsv.de. Read here what he had to say...

hsv.de: Hello Erik. Many thanks for taking some time out to talk to hsv.de. Have you recovered from the shock of relegation after your 2-2 home draw against Wolfsburg last Saturday?

Erik Meijer: ...(contemplates) I would be lying if I said yes, and I don't want to lie, so I have to say no. It is very tough when you have worked hard all season only to be relegated in the end.

If you reflect on the current season, why didn't Alemannia manage to stay up?

Erik Meijer: ...(laughs) We didn't win enough points. If you look at the table, we scored plenty of goals, but we also conceded too many. It would be wrong to pin the reason on a single factor though.

Was the team too inexperienced?

Erik Meijer: Eighty percent of our players were without Bundesliga experience, so it is fair to say that we were a bit green behind the ears. Despite that fact, the lads worked their socks off, trying to stay in the Bundesliga.

There was a huge media circus surrounding the Aachen duo of Jan Schlaudraff and Sascha Dum? Was that situation damaging to the team?

Erik Meijer: Of course it played a part. If you have an inexperienced team, it is crucial that the are able to work in peace and quiet; sadly that was not always the case.

After 26 rounds of the current Bundesliga season, your team was riding high in 9th place. Did your team feel too confident?

Erik Meijer: No. I think the exact opposite was the case, and that the lads felt under tremendous pressure. The games against Dortmund and Hertha were crucial. The pressure during those games was so great, that it created a mental blockage in our players.

The Bundesliga was a great adventure for the club and the fans. Next season you won't be travelling to places like Hamburg or Schalke, but Koblenz and Hoffenheim. What does relegation mean to the clab and their fans?

Erik Meijer: The fans will always support Alemannia. They were behind the team as they were near the bottom of the second division, on the brink of going out of business. Obviously the disappointment is great, but we have had fantastic support from our fans in the Bundesliga. It was like you say, an adventure for the club and the fans. Alemannia will not vanish without a trace.

Some players will leave the club and the position of the head coach is far from clear. What is going to happen?

Erik Meijer: It will not be easy to keep players at the club who have impressed other clubs this season. In the end we will put a strong team on the pitch, possibly with players who have not yet had a chance to shine and who are keen to play for the club.

Be honest. How difficult will it be for you to motivate the players for their trip to the AOL Arena on Saturday?

Erik Meijer: That is not difficult at all. There will be a capacity crowd of 57,000 there. Iknow from my own experience that the atmosphere in Hambur is always superb. The lads want to finish the season on a positive note. I would settle for a 4-4 or 5-5 draw.

How do you see your own future?

Erik Meijer: I will consider my next steps very carefully. We will sit down together and sort out a solution which suits both sides.

[Oliver_Kahn]

The 2006/7 Bundesliga season draws to a close on Saturday afternoon (19.5.07, kick off 3.30 pm), as HSV entertain Alemannia Aachen in the sold out AOL Arena. After avoiding relegation the week before last, there is only pride to play for against the side who were relegated to division two last week, after only drawing 2-2 at home to fellow strugglers Wolfsburg despite taking a two goal lead.


Six goal thriller
The first meeting between the two sides earlier in the season ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. On that day HSV took the lead three times through Berisha, Benjamin and Ljuboya respectively. Sadly, a last minute own goal Bastian Reinhardt robbed the visitors of two points. HSV came out on top in all three games between the two sides before that draw.


Mehdi on the right?
Hamburg coach Huub Stevens could play Mehdi Mahdavikia on the right of midfield, so Guy Demel could start at right back. The Dutchman is still without his Belgian defender Vincent Kompany and young midfielder Mario Fillinger. Aachen coach Michael Frontzeck is expected to play Hesse and Casper from the start. Nemeth could make his first ever start for the second division-bound side.

Win for the fans
After suffering three straight home defeats, Huub Stevens will have drilled into the heads of his players how important a win on Saturday would be for the fans who once again have given the team wonderful support home and away from home this season.

Thanks Huub
As Huub Stevens took charge after the dismissal of Thomas Doll HSV were rock bottom of the Bundesliga table, having only taken 15 ppints from 19 matches. Since then, the Dutchman has brought discipline and shape to the team. HSV have a lot to thank him for especially for the maintenance of the fine record of being the only club in the Bundesliga jnever to have been relegeted.


Possible line-ups:

HSV: F. Rost - Benjamin, B. Reinhardt, Mathijsen, Atouba - Demel, Jarolim, de Jong, Sorin - van der Vaart - Olic

Alemannia Aachen: Hesse - Casper, Stehle, N. Herzig, Leiwakabessy - Reghecampf, Matth. Lehmann, Fiel - Rösler - Ebbers, Nemeth

[Oliver_Kahn]

Keeper Wolfgang Hesl at HSV until 2010



HSV has extended the contract of goalkeeper Wolfgang Hesl until June 30th 2010. The 21 year old shot stopper has played 67 games for the HSV amateur side: "I am delighted. This signature signals another step forward in my development", said Hesl, who is expected to move up to the Bundesliga squad to train alongside Frank Rost next season. Sport director Didi Beiersdorfer: "Wolfgang has great talent. He has come through the HSV ranks. It will be good for his further development to learn from such an experienced keeper like Frank Rost."

[Oliver_Kahn]

Hamburg SV 4 - 0 Alemannia Aachen

15' [1 - 0] I. Olic
27' [2 - 0] I. Olic
55' [3 - 0] J.P. Sorin
86' [4 - 0] J.P. Sorin

[Oliver_Kahn]

Fantastic by Hamburg and Stevens!

They came from the relegation one to an Intertoto place. Awsome work!
I think HSV will fight for the title next season

[Oliver_Kahn]

HSV finally got there in the end! The 4-0 home win over Alemannia Aachen in the sold out AOL Arena on the final game of the season, was enough to see coach Huub Stevens and his team qualify for European football next season, after other results went HSV's way. A brace of goals each by Ivica Olic (15./26.) and Juan Pablo Sorin (54./87.) did the trick for the home side, and stopped the rot after three consecutive home defeats. HSV coach Huub Stevens was without Vincent Kompany, Mario Fillinger, Mathias Abel and Raphael Wicky. Besart Berisha, René Klingbeil and Sascha Kirschstein did not make the squad. Already-relegated Aachen were without their first choice goalkeeper Stephan Straub as well as the internally suspended Jan Schlaudraff and Sascha Dum.


Olic double whammy!
HSV began the game with an outside chance of qualifying for the Intertoto Cup, but other results had to go their way, and not many pundits (including ourselves!) believed it would happen. After 7 minutes Ivica Olic could (and probably should) have opened the scoring, as he rounded the Aachen keeper Marcus Hesse, only to see Nico Herzig head the ball clear. Eight minutes later the Croatian international goal getter went one better, as superb approach work by Rafael van der Vaart set him up for an unstoppable shot from just inside the area to deservedly open the scoring for HSV and their long-suffering fans. On 26 minutes, it was Olic again who was in the spotlight as he superbly turned on a sixpence to blast HSV two goal ahead, which is how it stayed at the break, although it must be said that the home side squandered a number of first half chances.

Party time in the AOL Arena
HSV carried on where they left off after the break. The home side (screamed on by the fabulous atmosphere inside the once again sold out AOL Arena) took the game to the visitors, and were to be rewarded for their attacking attitude. A second half brace of goals by Juan Pablo Sorin perfectly rounded off what has been an up and down season (injury wise) for the multi-capped Argentinian international veteran sent the best fans in the Bundesliga into raptures of joy.


Match details:

HSV: Rost (79.Wächter) - Benjamin, Reinhardt Mathijsen, Atouba - de Jong, Jarolim, Demel (60.Mahdavikia), Sorin - van der Vaart - Olic (69.Sanogo)

Alemannia Aachen: Hesse - Casper, Stehle, N. Herzig, Leiwakabessy - Matth. Lehmann - Reghecampf, Fiel (66.Heidrich) - Rösler - Ibisevic (55.Krontiris), Ebbers (55.Nemeth)

Goals: 1-0 Olic (15.), 2-0 Olic (26.), 3-0 Sorin (54.), 4-0 Sorin (87.)

Attendance: 57,000 (sold out)

Referee: Seemann (Essen)

Booked: Jarolim / Rößler, Herzig, Stehle

[Oliver_Kahn]

HSV round off what has been a turbulent season in style, by beating relegated side Alemannia Aachen 4-0 in the sunshine at the sold out AOL Arena on Saturday afternoon. Huub Stevens has done a sterling job at HSV, but spread the praise around, while Aachen coach Michael Frontzeck took a swipe at those within his club who tried to make life difficult for him...


Huub Stevens (HSV): "This game was a good end to the season. I have always said that we faced 14 cup finals as I took charge, and the players rose well to the challenge. The fact that we moved from bottom place to 7th and reach the Intertoto Cup is simply unbelievable. Everyone at the club instrumental in that feat deserves a big pat on the back and a thank you."


Michael Frontzeck (Alemannia Aachen): "We were not good enough over the past few weeks, so I will take the consequences and tell you all here today, that this game was the last for me as the coach of Alemannia. The work was fun and I enjoyed it greatly, but their was a group of people always trying to put obstacles in my way. Those gentleman plan to meet on Monday and decide on my future, but I will save them the trouble by resigning today. Now a fresh coach will have to try to take the club back to the top flight."

[Oliver_Kahn]

Next step UEFA Cup?


It was simply a brilliant day for HSV. On Saturday (19.5.07), the only club never to have been relegated from the Bundesliga thrashed relegated Alemannia Aachen 4-0, and because other reslts went their way (including the defeat of Borussia Dortmund and their former HSV coach Thomas Doll) went their way, meaning that HSV reached the Intertoto Cup competiton which could be a way to the more-lucrative UEFA Cup through the back door: "Of course we hoped it would happen. I am especially delighted for our senstional fans who have supported us through tough times", said coach Huub Stevens after the game.

On July 21/22 HSV open their 2007/8 European campaign away to a team representing Switzerland, Moldova or Aserbaijan. The return leg will be played a week later (July28./29.).

"Fantastic fans"
HSV turned on the style against Aachen, playing forward from the off. They were rewarded by a brace of goals each by Olic and Sorin: "We are delighted that we were able to give our fantastic fans a win in the final game. It is super that we now have a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup", smiled the HSV skipper Rafael van der Vaart after the game.

Fitting send off
The atmosphere in the sold out AOL Arena was superb even before kick off, as sport director Dietmar Beiersdorfer presented bunches of flowers to Stefan Wächter, René Klingbeil, Mathias Abel and Mehdi Mahdavikia, all of whom have now left the club. Not surprisingly, the crowd favourite Mahdavikia in particular was emotional as the fans gave him and the other an ear-splitting send off, especially as Stevens sent on the Iranian winger and keeper Wächter for their final appearance: "It was unbelievable", said Mehdi after the game. Wächter was also happy: "That is how you imagine send off, it was nice that I was able to play again."

[Oliver_Kahn]

The 2006/7 Bundesliga season will go down in history as a season resembling a roller coaster ride. After the horrific first half of the season, HSV fought back to reach seventh place in the table and qualification for the Intertoto Cup, which in turn could lead to the UEFA Cup. So where were the weaknesses and strengths? Here are the facts...


Attack + midfield

HSV scored only 43 goals all season, their worst performance in front of goal in nine years. In fact, they only managed a miserly 16 goals in the whole of the first half of the season. What was also a weakness was the amount of goals scored by midfielders. Jarolim & Co. only managed a dozen goals all season, the fifth worst record in the Bundesliga. One statistic particularly dismal was the taking of chances. Only every 19th shot hit the target. Relegated Aachen's midfielders scored with every ninth shot.

Defence

With 37 conceded goals, HSV had the 3rd best defensive record. Only a miserly 12 goals were conceded before the winter break,the best record in the Bundesliga. Only two of those goals came from long distance. The only side never to have been relegated from the Bundesligaconceded 11 late goals costing them 12 points in all. It wasn't all doom amd gloom though. The signing of goalkeeper Frank Rost From Schalke turned out to be worth its weight in gold. Rost kept no less than nine clean sheets, saving 80% of all shots- the best record of any keeper in the Bundesliga.

Home games

HSV had the worst home record in the 2006/7 season, winning only four times in the AOL Arena, which was a club negative record. The "curse" ended as Huub Stevens took charge after Thomas Doll was fired, after HSV managed only 7 goals in 9 home games. The average home attendance of 56,000 was also a club record.


Away form

Only Bremen, Stuttgart and Schalke collected more points away from home than HSV (24). Along with Niedersachsen rivals Hanover, HSV was the only team to win more away games then home games. HSV had a fantastic record at the end of the season gathering 16 from a possible 18 points. Only Nürnberg (16) conceded less goals on their travels than HSV (18). HSV have qualified for Europe for the fifth consequtive season, but it was still the worst season overall since 2001/02. The weak front line was the main reason for that.

[Oliver_Kahn]

German Under 19 international Anis Ben-Hatira has signed a new long-term contract with Hamburg which ties him to the AOL-Arena until 2012.

The offensive midfielder spent the beginning of the season at the club's third division amateur team.

But he finally broke into Huub Stevens' professional squad in recent months and has now been rewarded for his promising performances.

“Anis has an enormous potential which he showed in his games for Hamburg as well as for the national team,” declared Hamburg’s director of sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer.

"He is facing a great future with us."

Born as a son of Tunisian parents, Ben-Hatira turned down the chance to play for Tunisia and chose to represent the German FA instead.

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[Oliver_Kahn]

Hamburger SV Sports Director Dietmar Beiersdorfer looks back in this interview over a turbulent season and takes a look at the future as well.


When Sports Director Dietmar Beiersdorfer talks about the 2006/07 season, he needs to think a long time before finding the right words. The season began with Champions League and German title hopes, but the Hamburg team seemed to do more than simply stumble. By the winter break the club was in 17th spot in the standings. And what followed had all the makings of a "Hollywood blockbuster".

A change in coaches, the struggle to climb the standings and avoid relegation, and in the end the qulification for the UI Cup and the possiblility of qualifying for the UEFA Cup next year. A happy ending after all. The Sports Director spoke with hsv.de about the turbulent season and took a look into the future.

Question: Mr. Beiersdorfer, the season is over. What's your analysis?

Dietmar Beiersdorfer: (laughs) Naturally it's difficult to describe in a few words. In the end, the season wrapped up on a positive note and that's the most important. We started the season with big ambitions and have to say that the many injuries and changes to our team made it difficult for us. Such an injury list can only be compensated for by teams like FC Chelsea with 18 world class players on their roster. We held to Thomas Doll as coach in spite of the series of losses but in the end had to react and looking back can say that the change to coach Huub Stevens was the right step.

Question: What were your personal impressions of the season?

Beiersdorfer: I would say it was the toughest time in my career in football, including my time as a player. The season wasn't easy for anyone. But the entire club, including the team, will come out of the experience of this season, strengthened.

Question: Hamburger SV starts the new season on July 2. Will your plans be completed by then?

Beiersdorfer: That's right. We're talking to possible candidates. We're hoping that by the start of summer training we'll have a complete roster, s