What a welcome! 7,500 fans and ex-HSV stars at Vuskovic's return | OneFootball

Mario Vuskovic had to wait 1,404 days for this moment: on Tuesday, the center-back returned to the HSV pitch for the first time since the start of his doping ban.

At the Volksparkstadion, where the public training session was moved because of the expected crowd, the joy is immense. Large sections of the north stand are filled, with numerous fans eager not to miss the 24-year-old’s comeback. Bild reports that around 7,500 supporters were in attendance.

Photo: IMAGO

Several of Vuskovic’s former companions are also on site. Tim Walter, who coached the Croatian for around a year and a half during his active spell at HSV, is at the Volkspark as well, along with long-time HSV key players Sebastian Schonlau and Jonas Meffert. The trio now work together at second-division side Holstein Kiel and made the nearly 100-kilometer trip from the far north. Former assistant coach Filip Tapalovic also did not want to miss the return.

His brother Luka Vuskovic, however, was not there. The 19-year-old, who played for HSV on loan last season, is preparing with his new club Brighton and Hove Albion for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United (9 p.m.).

Former HSV stars send messages of support

Meanwhile, other former teammates have sent Vuskovic their greetings. Robert Glatzel (VfL Wolfsburg), Ludovit Reis (Werder Bremen), and Ransford Königsdörffer (1. FSV Mainz 05) got in touch with their former teammate via video. The group still shares a close friendship to this day.

For Vuskovic himself, however, today is only a first step. His four-year ban from competitive matches runs until November 15. Until then, he is allowed to train with the team, but may neither play in friendlies nor take part in marketing or media appointments. He is also banned from holding autograph sessions with the euphoric supporters.

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