Hamburger SV are the only Bundesliga team to have remained in top flight since 1963. However, things haven’t been easy for the club lately, they almost faced relegation in 2014 and 2015. The six time champions are not winning titles anymore. The last time they won a title was when they won the DFB Cup in 1987. Hamburger SV will face third division side Hallescher FC in the competition on Tuesday at 20:45 CEST.
Current chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer played for the club when they beat Stuttgarter Kickers 3-1 to win the competition in June 1987. The 52-year old spoke to DFB.de in an interview about Hamburger’s upcoming DFB Cup fixtures, about the special ‘Berlin feeling’ and looks ahead to the tie against Hallescher FC.
DFB.de: Mr Beiersdorfer, did you enjoy playing in the DFB Cup?
Dietmar Beiersdorfer: Good question. The matches were always intense because you had to win. It was always controversial when a big team was drawn against a smaller one. That hasn’t changed today and we are all still fascinated by the DFB Cup.
DFB.de:Did you ever face a humiliating defeat?
Beiersdorfer:I still remember the time when we lost to the second division side Rothenbaum.
DFB.de:What about when you lost 4-2 to Duisburg in the second round in 1989?
Beiersdorfer: Oh yes. It was particularly disappointing when we lost to Bochum in 1988. It was difficult as defending champions to be knocked out of the competition so early. We were second in the league at the time and had a great team.
DFB.de: You have won the cup twice and even scored in a final. But you were a defender, how did you manage that?
Beiersdorfer: We were the favourites to win against Stuttgarter Kickers, but they took the lead. My 1-1 equaliser was very important, I managed to lose my marker. Manni Kaltz scored the winner with a free-kick.
DFB.de: Can you describe the Berlin feeling?
Beiersdorfer: If a club has the opportunity to go to Berlin, they have to take it. It felt so great to spent the weekend walking around in your club’s colours.
DFB.de Will you speak to the team before their match next week?
Beiersdorfer: No, that’s not my thing. Sometimes I speak to players individually, especially as the finals nears.
DFB.de: What are you expecting from Hallescher FC?
Beiersdorfer: They will really give it their all. Do you want to know something?
DFB.de: What?
Beiersdorfer: Every match is like a final in the DFB Cup. Of course we want to qualify for the next round. After a difficult start to the season, it’s time for us to regain our stability.
DFB.de: Do you still have any keepsakes from your two DFB Cup wins?
Beiersdorfer: I gave my shirt from the 1987 final to my father. My medals are lying around somewhere.
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Hamburger SV are the only Bundesliga team to have remained in top flight since 1963. However, things haven’t been easy for the club lately, they almost faced relegation in 2014 and 2015. The six time champions are not winning titles anymore. The last time they won a title was when they won the DFB Cup in 1987. Hamburger SV will face third division side Hallescher FC in the competition on Tuesday at 20:45 CEST.
Current chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer played for the club when they beat Stuttgarter Kickers 3-1 to win the competition in June 1987. The 52-year old spoke to DFB.de in an interview about Hamburger’s upcoming DFB Cup fixtures, about the special ‘Berlin feeling’ and looks ahead to the tie against Hallescher FC.
DFB.de: Mr Beiersdorfer, did you enjoy playing in the DFB Cup?
Dietmar Beiersdorfer: Good question. The matches were always intense because you had to win. It was always controversial when a big team was drawn against a smaller one. That hasn’t changed today and we are all still fascinated by the DFB Cup.
DFB.de:Did you ever face a humiliating defeat?
Beiersdorfer:I still remember the time when we lost to the second division side Rothenbaum.
DFB.de:What about when you lost 4-2 to Duisburg in the second round in 1989?
Beiersdorfer: Oh yes. It was particularly disappointing when we lost to Bochum in 1988. It was difficult as defending champions to be knocked out of the competition so early. We were second in the league at the time and had a great team.
DFB.de: You have won the cup twice and even scored in a final. But you were a defender, how did you manage that?
Beiersdorfer: We were the favourites to win against Stuttgarter Kickers, but they took the lead. My 1-1 equaliser was very important, I managed to lose my marker. Manni Kaltz scored the winner with a free-kick.
DFB.de: Can you describe the Berlin feeling?
Beiersdorfer: If a club has the opportunity to go to Berlin, they have to take it. It felt so great to spent the weekend walking around in your club’s colours.
DFB.de Will you speak to the team before their match next week?
Beiersdorfer: No, that’s not my thing. Sometimes I speak to players individually, especially as the finals nears.
DFB.de: What are you expecting from Hallescher FC?
Beiersdorfer: They will really give it their all. Do you want to know something?
DFB.de: What?
Beiersdorfer: Every match is like a final in the DFB Cup. Of course we want to qualify for the next round. After a difficult start to the season, it’s time for us to regain our stability.
DFB.de: Do you still have any keepsakes from your two DFB Cup wins?
Beiersdorfer: I gave my shirt from the 1987 final to my father. My medals are lying around somewhere.
