“The players didn’t know”: ex-HSV coach recalls Copenhagen drama | OneFootball

Since 2005, the fan scenes of HSV and FC Copenhagen have shared a close friendship. It all began on two emotional European nights that hardly anyone has forgotten.

“Just the word ‘Copenhagen’ is enough,” former head coach Thomas Doll still says enthusiastically today in an interview with HSV.de. What he means is this: At the start of the 2005/06 season, the two teams met in the UEFA Cup and battled hard for a place in the next round. After the first leg at the Volksparkstadion ended 1-1, HSV traveled to Denmark for the return leg with a difficult starting position.

But there was one thing the Rothosen could always rely on, then as now: the support of their fans. “On the way to the match, 10,000 fans lined the route outside the stadium and banged on the bus,” Doll recalls. “The players stood up and looked to see what was going on. They had never experienced anything like that. In the dressing room, I hardly had to say much because they were already so fired up.”

Even so, HSV came close to being eliminated. With the score at 0-0, striker Sergej Barbarez missed a penalty, and defender Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off. To make matters worse, Doll himself was sent to the stands during the match. Only a stoppage-time penalty converted by Rafael van der Vaart secured progression for the Hanseatic side. “For HSV, it was an important win both sporting-wise and financially. That was a highlight,” the 60-year-old recalls.

Photo: Getty Images

Excitement builds at HSV for Copenhagen

When the Danish record champions visit the Volkspark this Sunday (October 4) for a friendly, naturally far less will be at stake. “It’s more about being together and less about the result,” Doll also knows. “Of course, it’s a lovely thing that over so many years a genuine friendship between the fans has developed. That’s unusual.” This closeness is also set to be visible in the stands and in the fan shop: a special match scarf will be sold, and thousands of Danish supporters are expected in Hamburg. They will even have their own section in the South Stand.

Doll will also be there and can watch the likely spectacle from close up. “I’m looking forward to it and curious to see who else will be there besides me. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to the Volksparkstadion for quite a while, even though I’m often in the north,” he admitted. Whether his reunion with Copenhagen will be the reason he starts visiting regularly again remains to be seen.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.