Six-time German champions Hamburg SV sealed a long-awaited return to the Bundesliga in style, thrashing Ulm 6-1 on Saturday to confirm a top-two finish in the 2. Bundesliga with one match still to play. The dominant win at home capped a seven-year journey back to the top flight, following their historic first-ever relegation in 2018.
The 1983 European Cup winners, long nicknamed the Bundesliga’s “dinosaurs” for their record spell in the top division since the league’s 1963 inception, had struggled in previous seasons to secure promotion, often faltering in crucial end-of-season fixtures. This time, however, Hamburg made no mistake.
Despite an early setback when Ulm’s Tom Gaal opened the scoring in the seventh minute, Hamburg responded immediately. Ludovit Reis netted the equalizer just three minutes later, setting the tone for a relentless display. Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes kept the momentum alive by saving a 36th-minute penalty from Semir Telalovic.
The hosts surged ahead before halftime with a classy chip from Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and Davie Selke’s 22nd goal of the season, giving them a 3-1 lead at the break.
Hamburg maintained their dominance in the second half, extending their lead through Philipp Strompf’s own goal, followed by Königsdörffer’s second of the game—an excellent solo run and finish. Daniel Efadli completed the rout in the 86th minute, prompting jubilant fans to crowd the sidelines in anticipation of the final whistle.
With the victory, Hamburg lead the table with 59 points, ahead of Cologne (58) and Elversberg (55). Cologne still have a shot at automatic promotion, while Elversberg will hope for a chance via the promotion/relegation playoff against the 16th-placed Bundesliga team.
For Ulm, the defeat confirmed their relegation to the third division.
Hamburg’s emphatic return marks the end of a turbulent chapter—and the revival of a German football giant.
