Meet Marcus “the Mountain” Berg, ex- of FC Groningen of the Eredivisie, and newest member of HSV. The story broke Friday evening (European time) by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. Berg’s arrival was announced on the German part of the HSV website, but not the English version (Time out:  If anyone associated with the club reads this stupid blog, how about keeping the English version of the club site up to speed with the German side? Is that asking too much?) If you have been following this story, you know that Berg is a true goal scorer, and in the mold of a KJH–equally deadly with his head and his feet. In the past two seasons for Groningen, Berg has tallied 32 goals in 56 Eredivisie matches. Not too shabby.

You know what else is nice? Scooping somebody else for a change, instead of being owned by other Bundesliga bloggers. So I got that goin’ for me. Which is nice.

Next up is to sign another defender and the two names which continue to come up are Philippe Senderos of Arsenal and Rasmus Bengtssen of Trelleborg (Sweden). I’d put my money on Bengtssen if I were a wagering type.

Also, there has been some scuttlebut that VDV *may* be on his way back to Hamburg, and those same stories are quick to point out that the lovely and talented Sylvie has been pushing him for such a move. HSV are even said to be trying to track down a wealthy benefactor to foot the bill for such a move so as not to jeopardize the financial solvency of the club. The problem is not the transfer fee, though, but Rafa’s €4M+ wage packet. Hoffman has said there is no money to bring in VDV, but he is our Prodigal Son and I know that many HSV supporters would welcome him back with open arms.

The Europa League draw was this morning and we ended up with the winner of FK Suduva (Lithiuania) or Randers FC (Denmark). Third round qualifying takes place July 30 (away) and August 6 (home).  Randers won the first leg 0:1 yesterday.

Final thought–Bruno has decided to pick his own captain, which leaves David Jarolim in a tight spot. Jaro is on the wrong side of 30 and plays a position where we have a WHOLE lot of depth (Ze Roberto, Rincon, Tavares, and maybe even Lorik Cana)–is he expendable at this point or am I reading too much into the situation?

In the 57′ of yesterday’s 0:1 defeat to Austrian 2. Bundesliga side Wacker Innsbruck, Alex Silva twisted his knee and and had to be substituted due to the extreme pain. He was carried from the pitch on a stretcher and replaced by Kai-Fabian Schulz. Team physician Dr. Oliver Dierk will examine Alex Silva today (Wednesday) and give an initial diagnosis, probably after an MRI. If it is a torn ACL or MCL, Alex Silva will miss the next 6 months at a minimum, and could miss the entire season–a HUGE blow to our already thin ranks on the defense.

If Alex Silva’s knee injury is as feared–a tear and not a sprain–the transfer strategy will have to change in order to replace the defender. As I mentioned yesterday, he was moved to central defense by Bruno. Jerome Boateng can certainly play CD, and excelled in that role at the recent Euro U21’s, but behind him on the depth chart is a whole lot of nuthin’. Yesterday, I wrote that Philippe Senderos of Arsenal, late of AC Milan, was a potential target, and that pursuit may speed up in light of Alex Silva’s current health. But what does that do to the transfer of Groningen striker Markus “the Mountain” Berg? Well, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, nothing–he’s already signed a 5 year deal with HSV. NOW, I travel to the Netherlands occasionally (though not as much as I used to), but I can’t vouch for the journalistic credibility/verascity of De Telegraaf’s football coverage. German television NDR also picked up the Telegraaf story, and they were not able to get a confirmation from the club. The Hamburg Abendblatt also picked up the story, so who knows where this is. Either way, I think they pursue another defender–maybe on a loan?–for depth, and move Boateng into the starting XI. OR, do they call ol’ Bastian Reinhardt back and say Dude, this whole thing where we said we didn’t think you could cut it anymore has been a total mixup.

The sticking point of the negotiations was the transfer fee. Orginally, Twente demanded €12m for Elia, while HSV were only offering €8m. Twente lowered their demands to €10m, but HSV initially wouldn’t budge on the €8m offer. Ultimately, HSV did pony up €9.1m and the deal was done. Elia was also pursued by a number of Premiership sides including Chelsea, Man City, Spurs, Bolton, and Wigan, as well as Ajax. Elia would never move to Ajax though, as he was dismissed from the Ajax youth academy when he was 13. He was re-discovered by ADO Den Haag two years later and after showing rapid improvement, he was pursued again by Ajax. Pfffffffft!  Get bent! His family jokingly threatened him with bodily harm this time around if he even considered BMJ and Ajax. Elia says he’s met with fellow Dutchmen Nigel de Jong, Khalid Boulahrouz, Rafael van Der Vaart and phoned Joris Mathijsen, and to a man, they all told him to come to HSV.

There’s a report today in Bild (I know, I know. . .) that Die Rothosen are back oogling Sweden international and Groningen striker Marcus Berg. Berg’s price is a bit higher than it was earlier this spring; he positively starred at the recent UEFA U21’s, bagging 7 goals in just 4 games. Groningen have set his transfer fee at a cool €10m. Which is all well and good. Except that we also have eyes for an interior defender, who happens to be Swiss international Philippe Senderos of Arsenal. Senderos spent last season on loan with AC Milan, but the Rossonerri chose not to exercise their option to purchase Senderos at the end of the loan. Here’s the rub:  HSV doesn’t want to pay for both, and they prefer to add another striker.  OK–seems to make sense to me, because up front we have (in no particular order): Petric, Guerrero, Tunay Torun, Elia, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and by making this move, it would seem that the front office are preparing to move Guerrero this summer or in the winter instead of letting him walk for nothing in 2010, á la Ivica Olic. BUT, I just have a strong, uneasy feeling about the depth at the back, which has been a theme of mine for some time. Labbadia is moving Alex Silva back to central defense next to Mathijsen. That makes Jerome Boateng the perfect sub as he can play both right back and, as he showed with great aplumb at the U21’s, central defense as well. That looks really great, but again, I would prefer to see another warm body for the back line.

Based on Bruno’s stated preference for a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, here’s what the squad (as it is currently comprised) may look like whent they take the pitch on 8 August versus Freiburg:

Rost

 Boateng (Demel)     Alex Silva     Mathijsen     Aogo

 Jarolim

 Trochowski (Zé Roberto)                         Jansen (Pitroipa)

 Zé Roberto (Trochowski)

Elia/Guerrero     Petric

What do you think?

•HSV play Wacker Innsbruck tonight in a friendly. This is the last friendly that we play before the first round of the DFB-Pokal and Europa League qualifying.

•Former HSV defenders Thimothee Atouba and Bastian Reinhardt are on the radars of Ajax and Hertha, respectively.

When his contract is up, he will become the head South American scout for HSV based in Brazil. He said that the most important factors in chosing Hamburg were the fact that they offered the third year and that his wife and children wouldn’t have to learn a new culture by staying in Germany–he was being pursued by a number of the larger clubs in the Premiership. Oh, and we also signed Robert Tesche from Bielefeld.

In other news, training camp has finally begun, but with only 16 players on the first team roster. The Ze Roberto signing is a real coup for us, but as I wrote throughout all of 2008/09, we need depth in addition to quality. We have national team players at every position on the pitch–seriously think about it. The only two guys who are not starting for their national side are Frank Rost and Alex Silva. But there is *zero* second line talent, particularly up front. I would like very much to see Labbadia give youngsters like Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Anis Ben-Hatira a chance.  According to Bild, the negotiations for Eljero Elia have ceased with Lyon now looking at Elia to replace the departed Karim Benzema (and this part of the Hamburg Offside is a HUGE Benzema fan, but I wonder where the hell he is going to play. AND since Real now have Benzema, could we have KJH? Just a thought . . .).  In light of these developments, HSV have shifted their affections attention to acquiring (in no particular order) Vagner Love (25) of CSKA Moscow and Welliton (22) of Spartak Moscow.

Same story goes on to say that Bruno is kinda pissed at BMJ for setting such a late start to camp, but what are you going to do? His focus right now is to get the players he has right now prepared for the Europa Cup qualifying matches and the first round of the Pokal . . .

So that’s all for now from the Hamburg Offside. If you are reading this outside the USA, enjoy your weekend. If you are in the States, have a happy Fourth and celebrate the independence of our nation by blowing up a small part of it! Cheers!

Brazilian international Ze Roberto appears to be on his way to Die Rothosen–get this–via free transfer. The soon-to-be-ex-Bayern midfield star had been negotiating a new deal with the Bavarians but the sticking point of the deal was that Ze Roberto wanted a two-year contract and Bayern were only offering one year. His agent promptly turned to HSV and said, Hey, are you interested? To which Herr Hoffmann most likely said Hells yeah! 

Ze Roberto will get his two year deal with an option for a third from HSV at around €4m per annum, which is steep for a guy who is 35.  BUT . . . this is one of the top midfielders in the Bundesliga who has been capped for mighty Brazil 83 times. So the high salary is offset by the fact that HSV are not paying a transfer fee–his contract with Bayern expired on 30 June.

Other News: 

Eljero Elia of Twente is still on the wish list of HSV, but the sticking point in the transfer negotiations is the fee–Twente want €12m and HSV are offering €8m . . .

Jerome Boateng opened some eyes at the U21’s as a central defender and his agent has been contacted by the Special One and representatives of Inter. Boateng, to his credit, has publicly stated he’s staying put.

And finally, a fond birthday wish to Hamburg Offside fave, goalkeeper Frank Rost, who turned 36 yesterday.

There’s a great story in the online edition of Welt today detailing all the known goings and potential comings of each of the 1. Bundesliga clubs this summer. So what’s the HSV angle to this story? On the known goings, there’s not much new–we all know that Ivica Olic is gone to the Bavarians, that all of the winter loaners were given back (No thank you!), and, oh, we have a new trainer. Among the players leaving the club that I haven’t (and neither has Evan) touched on are Thimothee Atouba and Bastian Reinhardt. Atouba was offered a contract extension this winter (at his current wages) as he was rehabbing his torn achilles; he rejected that offer presumably because he thought he could get more money on the open market. Well, there isn’t a huge demand for petulant defenders who are recovering from major injury, and bottom line–Atouba had no takers. Reinhardt is a bit more of a sticky situation. Basti is among the all time club leaders in matches played and is certainly a fan favorite (in stark contrast to Atouba on both accounts), but seemed to have slowed a step in the 2008 Rückrunde. Basti split time with Alex Silva in the Hinrunde this season, and negotititaions with the club on a contract extension at that time not only stalled, they ceased.  

Weld lists Alex Silva (back to Brazil, AC Milan, Sevilla), Marcell Jansen (Juventus), Mladen Petric (Wolfsburg), Piotr Trochowski (everybody) as potential exits. To a man, the Hamburg management have said no way Jose, nobody’s leaving the club this summer, which we all know means unless the price is right. Let’s face it–last summer, would you have thought that Nigel de Jong would EVER leave HSV? Me either. What I read about Alex Silva was that he wanted out because Jol was playing him in the midfield and that he would never get a look for the Selecão if all he ever played was midfield–he wanted back in central defense. With Reinhardt’s and Michael Gravgaard’s departures, I look for him to move back into defense, and be happy.

Predictably, what interested me is all of the potential newcomers listed by Weld:  Niko Kranjcar of Pompey (who was rumored [there's that word again] to be on his way last summer), Kostas Katsouranis of Benfica (almost a sure thing he’s coming),  Tim Borrowski of Bayern (on the outs with Munich management), Eljero Elia of Twente (who is now reportedly on his way to Ajax since BMJ flew the coup), and Hamburg native Ivan Klasnic, now that Nantes have been relegated to Ligue 2. But the REALLY interesting names are Alexander Hleb of Barca, our beloved Rafael van Der Vaart of Real, and Kevin Kuryani of Schalke. And FYI, our transfer budget this summer is about €16-18 million.

Hleb is not coming to HSV; but are VDV and Kuryani?

Another fun little bit on the Weld web site is a reader poll to determine the greatest HSV player os all time. Here’s the poll in German, because it’s pretty self explanatory. My vote went to Uwe Seeler. Coincidentally, he’s the leading vote-getter right now.

The Dinosaur welcome NEC Nijmegen to the ‘Bank for the 2nd leg of the first knockout stage of the UEFA Cup. It would be too easy to call Nijmegen a punching bag or patsie or some other demeaning term, but let’s call a spade a spade–HSV rightly demolished NEC a week ago in Nijmegen, to the tune of 3-0. The three away goals give Hamburg an almost insurmountable lead going into tonight’s match, particularly in light of the fact that HSV have only lost at home once this season, the 0:1 defeat to Ajax in the Group stage of the UEFA Cup.

Tonight’s match is also the 100th match HSV have played in the UEFA Cup in their history. They bring a tidy 53-17-29 record over the years, scoring 163 and conceding 102. OK, BFD.

Who’s in, who’s out

 For HSV, Piotr Trochowski continues to suffer the effects of a stomach ailment that has kept him from training since Monday. His status can be best described as questionable. My guess is he’ll be on on the bench tonight. Guy (”don’t spell my name Dimmel”) Demel is hampered by a thigh bruise suffered Sunday versus Leverkusen, and I am guessing that BMJ will hold him out as well, so that he’s good to go for Sunday’s tilt with Wolfsburg. Stories abound this week about the debut of Venezuelan international Tomas Rincon tonight. Let’s hope so, I am eager to get a look at this guy. Two of the new players will not be making an appearance tonight as they are all cup tied: Mikael Tavares and Albert Streit. My last thought is whether Jol will get Jerome Boateng into the lineup tonight as he balances injuries with getting some of the reserve players action in a meaningful match. From what I understand, the “fight” between ‘Rome and Albert Streit came after some VERY contentious 6 v 6 play in which there was a great deal of contact. Boateng had been marking Streit and Streit let him know that he didn’t appreciate ‘Rome’s physical play. The shouting escalated to a little shoving and Jol had to intervene. He sent Boateng to the showers and Boateng faces a fine from the club, but Jol’s final comment was that these things happen from time to time and Boateng simply overreacted this time, as young players are wont to do. Given the injury to Demel, I think we see Boateng start at right back tonight. Here’s my go at the starting XI:

Rost

Boateng     Gravgaard    Mathijsen    Aogo

Rincon   Jarolim    Alex Silva   Jansen

Petric    Olic

Of note for NEC, striker Tim Janssen is out with an ankle injury.

NEC starting XI (?):

Babos

Pothuizen    El-Akchaoui    Zomer     Koenders

Radomski    Davids    Sibum    Schone

Ntibazonkiza    van Beukering

Final thought and SWAG prediction:

BMJ has been preaching to the side about not having a letdown following the huge victory over Leverkusen and the previous dismantling of NEC. That said, anything other than a victory is REALLY going to stop HSV’s considerable momentum. The way HSV are playing at the moment, it is not unreasonable (in my opinion) for them to be consider hopefuls, if not favorites, in all three competitions (DFB-Pokal, Bundesliga, UEFA Cup). Look for NEC to play fiercely and with pride, but to eventually be overwhelmed by a confident, high performing HSV. Make mine 3-1 HSV, with goals by Petric, Olic and Jarolim (I don’t know why, just a feeling). Bottoms up!

That’s right. Die Rothosen are once again top of the Bundesliga, thanks to the suddenly sturdy feet of Marcell Jansen (the with one ‘S’, right Ashiq?).  Jansen bagged a brace with goals at the 18th and 67th minutes, offset by a nice goal by Patrick Helmes in the 29th minute.

So now what? Well for starters, there’s the second leg of the UEFA Cup tie with NEC Nijmegen on Thursday. Word from the training ground is that newly acquired Tomas Rincon may start for either Piotr Trochowski (ill-stomach virus), or Guy Demel (thigh bruise). Mikael Tavares and Michael Gravgaard are cup tied and will not be playing, so that pretty much leaves Rincon to fill in. To cap off the week, Hamburg host Wolfsburg Sunday in a match that has some serious payback implications.  How could we forget the 3(!) 3-nil beatings HSV suffered in the Hinründe, the first of which was adminstered by Wolfsburg? Not sure I will ever forget those. One guy we won’t be seeing Sunday is Hamburg Offside fave Jerome Boateng.  ‘Rome came on for Guy Demel in the 60th minute, earned a yellow in the 81st and topped off a short performance with a second yellow and his hall pass to the dressing room in the 86th minute. I have been clammoring for Boateng to be playing but outings like this don’t impress BMJ.

Nijmegen come into the match 9th in the Eredivisie table on 32 point, trailing leaders Alkmaar by a whopping 25 points. NEC have not had a victory in their past 3 Eredivisie matches, but did garner a point with a 1-1 draw versus Heerenveen on Sunday, in a match that gaffer Mario Been described his squad as “under sedation.”  While a small club even by Dutch standards, NEC have proven every bit Europe worthy this season, having notched victories of Spartak Moscow on the road and Udinese during the UEFA Cup campaign. One last note on NEC:  the pitch at their ground has been kindly described as “individual blades of grass, surrounded by mud” and will pose an added challenge to a flowing side like the New and Improved HSV (under BMJ). My thoughts:  Muddy pitches are par for the course in Northern Europe this time of year and both sides have to play on the surface. Quit yer bitchin and get down to work.

NEC will be without right back Dani Fernandez, while there are varying reports that strike duo Tim Janssen and Dennis Rommedahl are in/out with ankle and hamstring injuries, respsectively.

Hamburg come into tonight’s match 3rd in the Bundesliga on 39 points, following Sunday’s victory over Bielefeld in the rain and snow. HSV have a strong record in the UEFA Cup this season, sporting a nifty 3-0-1 record in the group stages–their only loss coming at the hands of Dutch giants and Hamburg Offside fave (I’ve spent A LOT of time in Amsterdam and a village called Koog aan de Zaan) Ajax, 1-0 back on Thanksgiving (November 27). Ajax, by the way, are the only club, German or otherwise, to earn a victory at the ‘Bank in the 2008/09 campaign.

Mladen Petric is available for tonight’s match, as his suspension is limited to the Bundesliga only. Look for him to partner with Paolo Guerrero up top against NEC, as Jol tries to keep Ivica Olic fresh for Sunday’s gigantic clash with Leverkusen.

Probable lineups:

Nijmegen

Babos

 Koenders, Pothuizen, Zomer, El Akchaoui

 Sibum, Schöne, Davids

 Rommedahl, Janssen, Bouaouzan

 HSV

Rost

Demel   Gravgaard   Mathijsen   Aogo

Jarolim   Alex Silva

Trochowski   Janssen

Petric   Guerrero

Prediction:  I think HSV are in good form and NEC are not.  Despite the crappy playing surface HSV cruise with a clean sheet and set themselves up well for the round of 16. Make mine 2-0 for Hamburg.

Viewing options–In the US, this match will be on ESPN360. Alternately, you can try the ol’ P-2-P route. Here’s the link for the HSV match:

Why misery? Supporters of Die Rothosen don’t need to be told that rock bottom looks a whole lot like giving up a 2-goal, second half lead to a side that is relegation bound. But instead of being told about it, we had to witness it, as KSC managed to stage a comeback for the ages and defeat HSV 3-2. The first goal came on a swing-and-a-miss clearance from new guy Michael Gravgaard. But the killer was Sebastien Freis‘ header goal just as time expired to give the victory-starved KSC a much needed three points. HSV, for their part, blew a gift-wrapped opportunity to go top of the table (albeit temporarily). And the defeat didn’t *only* cost points in the table–Mladen Petric received a straight red when he shoved KSC midfielder Marco Englehardt. The DFB have subsequently upheld Petric’s 2 game suspension and he sat out the following match versus another bottom feeder, Bielefeld. I can imagine the disciplinary hearing at the DFB: 

DFB: The video evidence shows you committing a foul for which the consequence is ejection from the match and a suspension, as defined in the rules. Do you have anything to say on your behalf?

HSV:  Yeah, I mean, c’mon–it’s not like he pulled a gun on him or anything. It’s a little shoving. You all did it yourselves with your mates as you waited for the school bus each morning. No harm, no foul. Am I right, or am I right?

Well, Petric sat out the Bielefeld match Sunday (UGH, and will also miss the crucial match with Leverkusen), but Ivica Olic returned (in more ways than one–he was back to his old running-around-around-the-pitch-like-an-ineffective-madman-for-90-minutes self) from suspension, and as-full-a-squad as we’re going to see took the pitch to take on struggling Arminia. Samba mëister Alex Silva (fully recovered from hernia surgery) was back to manning the midfield, while BMJ gave Michael Gravgaard another shot to redeem himself at central defense. In the sleet and snow, HSV started slowly sans Petric, and did well not to fall behind, as a howitzer blast from Jonas Kamper in the 24th minute was neatly pushed aside by Frank Rost.  In the 32nd minute, the Hanseaten broke the deadlock on a free kick by Piotr Trochowski from 30 yards out. Bielefeld keeper Dennis Eilhoff did just get a hand on the ball, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.  The turning point of the match came in the 55th minute after Alex Silva fouled Robert Tesche in the box. Bielefeld’s ace Artur Wichniarek stepped up to the spot but his low shot down the middle was turned aside by Rost. Five minutes later, Peruvian party boy Paolo Guerrero knocked home an insurance goal with a sublime shot that curled into the upper left corner of the goal.

When the dust (or rather the snow and ice -and sorry Hamburgers, you get no sympathy from me. I live in the US Midwest I get snow and ice several times a week from November to April.) settled, HSV were even on points with the suddenly average Hoffenheim (who fell 4-1 to Leverkusen–HSV’s opponent next week), though in 3rd place on goal differential. The crappy part–if HSV would have won last week versus KSC, they’d be alone in first place.

Wednesday brings the knock out stages of the UEFA Cup with a trip to Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen. Nijmegen for their part are currently 9th in the table on 32 points–an astounding 25 points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar (remember last season when Louis van Gaal was rumored to be a candidate for the HSV job?). I’ll have news and notes ahead of the Nijmegen match, but I will leave you with this little gem, which makes my heart sing.