Hanover boss in the crosshairs
HSV loses late after double red and almost cancellation
February 9, 2024, 9:10 p.m
Hamburger SV’s mistake in the promotion race is almost irrelevant. The game against Hannover 96 is marked by the fans, who continue to escalate the protests against the DFL’s search for investors. This time with banners that, among other things, are explicitly directed against Martin Kind.
The fan protests have reached a new level of escalation in the northern duel between Hamburger SV and Hannover 96 in the 2nd Bundesliga. The game was on the verge of being abandoned in the second half. When the game continued, HSV suffered their third home defeat in a row in a wild game of 3:4 (1:3).
First the restart in the second half was delayed due to chained bicycle locks on a gate and objects on the pitch, then the guest supporters showed several likenesses in crosshairs – including Hanover’s managing director Martin Kind. They also held up banners against the German Football League (DFL) with slogans such as “CVC & Blackstone puppets of Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing”, “Consistent action in the face of personified threats of violence” and “Game interruption now”.
The clear message from the 96 fans.
(Photo: IMAGO/Eibner)
Referee Sören Storks sent both teams to the dressing rooms after the second incident in the 59th minute. Guest players had previously unsuccessfully talked to the fans. After a half-hour break, the score continued at 3-2 for Hannover. It remained uneasy in the stands afterwards, but there was no further interruption.
“You have to tackle the issue”
“Crosshair posters are an absurdity, that doesn’t work, we don’t have to talk about it,” said 96 sports director Marcus Mann on Sky, who warned in view of the violent protests across Germany: “The way it is at the moment, it can and should “Of course we can’t go any further. The mood in the stadium threatens to change at some point. It’s a catastrophe for the teams, they get cold, they have to warm up and have to go back on the field. We have to find a solution, we have to tackle the issue.”
When the game was played, both teams exchanged wild blows on the pitch. Nicolo Tresoldi (11th), an own goal from Guilherme Ramos (21st) and Louis Schaub (42nd) rewarded the guests for a courageous performance. Laszlo Benes (24th), Dennis Hadzikadunic (47th) and Robert Glatzel (86th) scored for Hamburg, who can fall back to fourth place at the weekend.
Shortly after the equalizer, Benes was shown a red card for a tackle from behind (87′). Being outnumbered, the hosts were punished. Sebastian Ernst (90+8) scored the fourth and decisive goal for Hannover in 16 minutes of added time. Coach Stefan Leitl’s team is only three points behind HSV and can dream of returning to the Bundesliga. In addition to Benes, Hamburg will also have to do without Hadzikadunic on the next match day, who saw the yellow-red card (90th + 16th).