More of the same, please – SVE seeking to triumph over HSV once again

Last season, SV Elversberg defeated Hamburger SV at their home URSAPHARM Arena. The aim is to repeat the feat this season – despite some major lineup issues. 

SV Elversberg are preparing for another duel against Hamburger SV. After a 2:2 overall score from last season’s two games, the teams will be meeting again on Saturday at 1 p.m. This match at the URSAPHARMArena in Elversberg promises to be a genuine highlight – with a packed stadium, an electrifying atmosphere, and an opponent that is still a top favourite to be promoted to the Bundesliga. However, SVE‘s coach Horst Steffen and his team are well prepared and hugely motivated to take on the third-placed team in the table and exploit their home advantage.

For the host team, who managed an impressive eighth place during their first season in the 2. Bundesliga and are currently once again sitting in eighth after nine days of play, this is a very special home game. Their 2:1 win over HSV last season is still fresh in their memories, and the team will be seeking to repeat this performance. ‘I am looking forward to a full house and a great atmosphere with our fans, who we also want to reward with a great game’, Steffen said before the match. However, they have definite respect for the Hamburg team. ‘HSV possess huge quality. They have plenty of players on their bench who would be the cornerstones of other clubs in this league. We will need to be very good on Saturday and perform well if we are to beat HSV’, the coach emphasised.

I am looking forward to a full house and a great atmosphere with our fans, who we also want to reward with a great game.

Horst Steffen

However, this encounter will be marked by lineup issues on both sides. Whilst HSV will have to manage without top goal scorer Glatzel and suspended captain Schonlau, Elversberg have a question mark over whether Robin Fellhauer can be deployed: the midfielder captain stopped training on Thursday morning due to a slight thigh problem, and it is not yet clear if he will be fit to play on Saturday. Losing Fellhauer would be a setback, especially as the team is missing another key midfield player in the form of Semih Sahin, who is out with a calf injury. Fellhauer also recently played a crucial role in the 1:2 draw against Preußen Münster. This week, he sounded unsatisfied with the late points gained in Münster: ‘I’m not entirely happy about that yet. I wanted to win in Münster. We had the opportunities. It is nice recognition for us that even second division teams are focusing on defence against us, but I would have preferred to gain the three points’, Fellhauer noted. Coach Steffen highly praised the performance of his captain, who scored the vital equaliser in the 84th minute: ‘I rarely praise individual players, but what Robin Fellhauer did on Saturday was exceptional. He won almost every single fight, covered the entire pitch, and led the way like a captain.’ However, the captain might be missing on Saturday.

But there is some good news in the Elversberg injury camp: Tom Zimmerschied could be celebrating first appearance against HSV. This attacking player, who came from Dynamo Dresden and recently joined the squad for the first time following an injury, is ready to play. ‘I am delighted to be back on the pitch pain-free, and to be able to train properly with the team’, Zimmerschied said. If he is fit enough to play, his speed and strength in one-on-one situations could be a valuable addition to the team. Frederik Jäkel, who has been working hard on his comeback after cruciate ligament surgery, is expected back soon and could be playing a vital role in the central defence from December onwards. ‘It feels great. Strength tests have been very positive across the board’, Jäkel commented regarding his rehab progress. When he starts training with the squad again is just a matter of time, and the team will be hoping for the stability he displayed last season.

If you take a look at Elversberg’s development in recent years, they spent a long time competing for the top spot in the Regionalliga and then marched straight through to the 2. Liga with some fantastic football.

Steffen Baumgart

But SVE are not the only ones brimming with confidence – Hamburger SV are also hugely motivated to take three points home from Saarland. Despite injury worries, HSV have gained seven points from their last three games, and are undoubtedly one of the most dangerous opponents in the league. HSV’s coach Steffen Baumgart has huge respect for Elversberg’s performance and rise: ‘If you take a look at Elversberg’s development in recent years, they spent a long time competing for the top spot in the Regionalliga and then marched straight through to the 2. Liga with some fantastic football.’ He praises the commitment and strong defence displayed by SVE, who have proven to be an energetic and offence-driven team in recent weeks. ‘They are a very good second division team who can and will climb further up the table with some good results’, Baumgart says. But he makes it clear: ‘We will do all we can to ensure focus on the day. We are, of course, looking for a positive result in Elversberg.’

On Saturday, spectators on Kaiserlinde can expect an emotional, suspenseful duel with a wide range of match scenarios. SVE‘s coach Horst Steffen warns of HSV’s individual strengths and ability to pose a threat with both standard scenarios and counter-attacks. ‘When it comes to football play, HSV have a great set of players that can resolve numerous situations on their own. They are very strong in transitions and can pose a threat in both counter-attacks and standard scenarios. We will have to work on ways of tackling this’, Steffen emphasises. The team will be doing all they can to keep focus and strengthen their defence, in order to defeat HSV for the second time on home turf.