A 99-year stay in Germany’s top flight (including a place in the Bundesliga since its foundation in 1963) was brought to a dramatic end for Hamburger SV on Saturday afternoon after the club’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach was rendered meaningless by Wolfsburg’s win against Cologne on the final match day.
Ultimately, Wolfsburg’s 4-1 victory ensured John Brooks’ side of a spot in the relegation playoffs. For American compatriot Bobby Wood, it’s the brave new world of 2. Bundesliga come August
The clock boasting the length of HSV’s stay in the Bundesliga will now have to be reset at the Volksparkstadion (if it survives the post-match bedlam currently going down in Hamburg).
Germany’s last unrelegated side has fallen.
Gladbach supporters teased their hosts with a clock of their own in the away end.
What a diabolical way for Moenchengladbach fans to tease Hamburg:
a choreography about how many minutes Hamburg is far from being relegated, changing the minutes as the clock goes by pic.twitter.com/ZzS8jHL3CP— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) May 12, 2018
Aaron Hunt gave Hamburg hope from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, but Swiss striker Josip Drmic pulled one back for Gladbach in the 28th.
Hamburg have hope! Aaron Hunt scores an early penalty awarded by VAR to give the hosts the lead. pic.twitter.com/NObH6PaMPI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2018
Hamburg must win and need Wolfsburg to lose. Neither are happening at the moment after Drmic ties it up for Gladbach. pic.twitter.com/mfDkXVpFd0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2018
Lewis Holtby gave “The Dinosaur” its final breath with a fine finish in the 63rd minute, but over at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Liverpool loanee Divock Origi had already restored his side’s advantage against an already relegated Cologne team. Wolfsburg wouldn't look back from there.
Hamburg take the lead through, who else, Lewis Holtby, but the Bundesliga dinosaur still need a Köln turnaround in Wolfsburg! pic.twitter.com/40pTvddCtQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2018
Huge goal in Wolfsburg as Divock Origi gives the hosts a 2-1 lead. That might be it for Hamburg... pic.twitter.com/ZywBfQsPcs
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2018
To make matters worse for Hamburg, Wood was sent off in the 71st minute after receiving a second yellow for a late challenge. The American forward scored only two goals in 24 appearances for HSV this season.
Bobby Wood has been sent off for Hamburg, as Wolfsburg take a 3-1 lead now over Köln, all but sealing HSV's relegation. pic.twitter.com/ADzaXAQrh3
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2018
Unfortunately for Wood, he’ll be among the players that are intensely criticized for their performance this year. Suffice it to say, the Hamburg supporters were not happy after the final whistle.
Hamburg fans are not taking their first-ever relegation from the Bundesliga well... pic.twitter.com/pbTzkGqefd
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 12, 2018
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