Fireworks, 1000 cops & a 70-yr record: How St Pauli humbled Hamburg even in derby defeat

HAMBURG - It could have been a disastrous evening for Hamburger SV while also a legendary ditto for visitors St. Pauli, when the city rivals clashed at the Volksparkstadion Friday night. A win would have seen the latter celebrating promotion under the noses of their most bitter rivals, while at the same time making sure the home side missed out on their promotion yet again.

In the end, Hamburger SV, or simply HSV, held their nerve and avoided the ultimate embarrassment with a focused and disciplined display, thus remaining in the run for a playoff-spot themselves. Had the season delivered more of what they put on display Friday night, surely more would have possible instead of looking into what will most likely turn out to be a seventh season in the season tier.

At least they prevented their noisy neighbours from celebrating in their back yard. History had already been made though before kick-off, where the Tannoy speaker wasted his breath by urging visiting fans not to light up the pyro's. They had every intention of making their mark quickly, though. It led to the game being halted just three minutes in which, one suspects, was always the intention of the fans who are renowned for their often rebellious stance towards the establishment.

Hamburger SV were once part of the establishment, not just in Germany but internationally as well as a former winner of European trophies. 41 years ago, they even lifted the Champions Cup, but have now spent six years in the 2. Bundesliga. It hurts, but not as much as seeing their city rivals from St. Pauli being successful. As if it wasn't enough that the two clubs have played in the same division for six straight years, which they have never done before.

It is most likely about to