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!

With the likes of Streit (bruised calf), Atouba (groin strain), Jansen (throat infection), Silva (torn hamstring), and Reinhardt (lack on practice) unavailable, Jol couldn’t play his team of choice.
This was the team last night:

Frankfurt started the match looking for an early goal. Meier and Fink both tested Rost (12 and 15 minutes respectively), but neither could get through. Not wanting to be outdone, the Rothosen started a series of attacks on the Frankfurt goals. Finally, in the 22nd minute, Pitroipa set up Jarolim just outside the box. Jarolim’s shot stunned the crowd, and evidently the Frankfurt keeper.

1-0

Seven minutes later, and Olic had a great chance to double the lead. Guerrero then missed another great opportunity, just 5 minutes before the break. A substitution by Funkel (Ioannis Amanatidis on) signaled the start of the second half.

The second half was on of the most intense games I’ve seen read on liveblog for a long time. As Monchengladbach miraculously took the lead against Dortmund our own Ivica Olic converted a Demel cross to double our lead.

2-0!

And at that point it all went downhill. In a matter of 5 minutes, Frankfurt leveled the scores, following goals by Meier and Caio….
…And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, news came in that Kuba had scored for Dortmund.

2-2

So it was very simple. Score a goal, hope that Dortmund don’t score, and HSV would play in Europe next season. Don’t score, and our dreams would be down the drain. Jol reacted brilliantly, making a move that many would come to call pure genius and tactical vision. He subbed on Trochowski. In the 84th, he fired a free kick just over the bar. In the 89th, Pitroipa made a great long range shot that had the fans on their feet. Finally, when most fans had given up all hope, Trochowski recieved the ball on the corner of the penalty box. It was announced that Dortmund had only drawn at Gladbach. If there was ever a time, this was it. And with that Trochowski became my favorite player of all time, scoring a great goal and sending HSV straight to Europe!

3-2 HSV!

Match Facts:
Goals: Jarolim (22), Olic (58), Meier (61), Caio (63), Trochowski (90)
Booked Aogo, Mathijsen, Benjamin, Boateng, Trochowski
Attendance 51,500

Goals:

ROTHOSEN

As football fans, I think that Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch should be mandatory reading (in fact, I will make it mandatory reading for all of the Hamburg Offside’s readers [both of you]–I feel like a university professor now or something). I like love the book so much, that more than once, as soon as I get to the end, I start reading it again. One of the primary theme’s of the book is that non-supporters cannot possibly understand the emotional connection that a supporter has with their side and how much that connection dominates true supporter’s daily lives.  Because in the end, this connection we make with “our” sides is an obsession.  I know what you’re thinking:  In the immortal words of Herb Tarlek, How does this affect me?  Well, if you are anything like me, you have been walking around in a depressive funk since Saturday’s 0:1 home defeat to Köln/Cologne. Nobody, but nobody, understands why I am so damn, well, blue. No one in my family knows I write this blog (OK–occasionally write this blog)–they just think I’m a depressive sort who has his moods. I don’t think they’d understand that a German football (Ne: soccer) team recently blew their last gasp chance to play yet another year in a crummy, second-rate European competition, and in doing so, eliminated *any* chance they had of signing quality players in this summer’s transfer market. 

My mental state has been on a slippery slope since the Pokal loss to freaking Bremen on penalties, and the later admission by BMJ that he doesn’t practice penalties. Now you’ll forgive me, I am not a big time football manager. In fact, the highest level of football I have ever coached is my twin daughters’ U10 team this past year (and I am not very good–we are 0-0-9 heading into our next and final match; I won’t even think about telling you what our goal differential is. Oy. To my credit though, none of the girls on my squad have ever played organized soccer before this year, and last week, they held the opposition to a scoreless draw in the first half before finally succumbing 1:2.) The point here is that even though I coach girls U10, my team practices penalties EVERY WEEK. We end our last practice each week by splitting the team up and having the two groups compete against each other. SO WHY DIDN’T HSV CONVERT ANY OF THOSE F’ING PENALTIES? Sure, Tim Wiese stood on his head for a couple of saves, but shouldn’t it have been a bit closer than 2-4? And why did Jerome Boateng take the second penalty and not Pitroipa or Trochowski?

I was a bit more upbeat following the first leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final that saw HSV victorious 0:1, with that all important away goal. I remember saying to myself, “Self, this is the year. Yeah, stinking Bremen knocked us out of the Cup, but we’ll get even here,” only to have the Hanseaten break my heart by giving up 3 away goals to Werder in the return leg. By the time we played them again in the Bundesliga, I was shell shocked and burried my head in the sand. I couldn’t bear to watch them lose again.

The victory over Bochum was little consolation and as previously mentioned, the defeat to Köln/Cologne sent me over the edge. There’s no more Intertoto Cup as a means of qualifying for the Europa League this year (as we did in 2007/08), so unless Dortmund drops points to ‘Gladbach (unlikely, but Marko Marin says he will help Hamburg out–and in case you haven’t heard it or read it, Marin’s nearly assured summer transfer to HSV has been hijacked, by, you guessed it–FREAKING BREMEN!), we are out of European competition next season.

Both Collin Benjamin and Guy (”don’t spell my name Dimmel”) Demel stayed in Hamburg as the side travelled to Manchester Tuesday–they are still nursing thigh injuries.  A bigger question though is the availability of Alex Silva, who is rehabbing a torn hamstring. Alex Silva did not travel with the squad on Tuesday as he remained in Hamburg for a “fitness” test with the trainers. He did travel to England Wednesday, though, and is in the squad for tonight’s match. My guess is that Jol will not play our steady Brazilian with the high number of matches in the coming weeks. That and the fact that HSVII defender Kai Fabian Schulz also travelled to Manchester cements it for me that Alex Silva will not be used in anything except the most dire emergencies.

Here’s one hack’s attempt at a starting XI:

Rost

 Boateng    Gravgaard    Mathijsen    Aogo/Jansen*

 Jarolim     Aogo/Jansen*

 Trochowski    Pitroipa

 Olic    Petric

*Either Jansen or Aogo will lineup at left back and the other will line up in the midfield with Jarolim. Flip a coin if you want, but my guess is that Aogo starts at left back.

The last second loss to Stuttgart on Sunday (which I admittedly did not see) makes me think that the lads are tiring a bit, and if you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I want nothing more than HSV to play in the Champions League next season. So if something has to go, let it be the DFB-Pokal or the UEFA Cup. Let’s concentrate on the Bundesliga. With our crappy goal differential, we are essentially a point behind anyone we’re level with in the table and will need all the help we can get.

Bottom line:  City have not played well as of late, but they are very strong at home. HSV looked tired in their last Bundesliga match, and the lack of depth due to injuries will take its toll soon with the number of matches to be played in a very short amount to time. That said, HSV dominated the leg in Hamburg, and if not for the heroics of Shay Given, City would have been on the wrong end of a Barcelona-esque result (maybe 5 or 6-1).  I’ll give City credit for playing at home and their brilliant keeper could possibly steal the match. If Robinho decides to show up, he may have an impact on the result, and I don’t have word as to whether former HSV stud Vincent Kompanyreturn from injury this week. Don’t discount that a Martin Jol managed side has never, ever lost to Manchester City (6-0-0 with Spurs, 1-0-0 with HSV). Hamburg have too much for City, but City is tough at home.

SWAG prediction: 2:2, with goals from Robinho and Stephen Ireland, and Trochowski and Petric. Let’s get it on.

So decimated by injuries are Die Rothosen that Jol has called up reserve Volker Scmidt and Kai-Fabian Schulz from HSV II. Guy Demel (strained quadracep) and Alex Silva (torn hamstring) are both out. Jerome Boateng continues to recover from the flu and *should* be available.  While Paolo Guerrero (bruised ankle) and Collin Benjamin (bruised thigh) have both been adjudged to be fit and are in the squad, Jerome Boateng is suspended for the match. Guerrero will come off the bench in support of The Croatian Combination (Olic and Petric), while Benjamin may start in the midfield in lieu of Alex Silva. If Benjamin is not 100%, look for Tomas Rincon to get the nod. Marcel Ndjengs is available as well, but isn’t a viable starter.

Mikael Tavares and Albert Streit are cup tied and unavailable, although neither would likely play if they were. Good thing they are loaners because they both have, ahem, failed to impress so far. SO, here’s one guy’s shot at a lineup:

Rost

Boateng Benjamin    Gravgaard    Mathijsen    Aogo

Trochowski    Benjamin Jansen    Jarolim    Jansen Guerrero

Olic    Petric

For Citeh, there is late word today/tonight that former HSV-er Vincent Kompany is injured and did not travel with the side to Hamburg. Nigel de Jong is obviously cup tied, but did travel with the side and is looking forward to seeing his old mates. Martin Petrov and Stephen Ireland return for the Citizens, however.

Bottom line:  Hamburg are flying following the victory over TSG Saturday, but participating in 3 competitions appears to be finally taking its toll on the lads. Still, City were not impressive in their last round victory over Aalborg, needing several heroic penalty saves from Shay Givens to advance. Martin Jol has never lost to City as a manager, sporting a 3-3-0 record against them while managing Spurs (I may be a homer–that is to say, I am a Hamburg supporter–but Jol should be the manager of the year). SWAG Prediction: 2:1 Hamburg, with goals by Petric and Guerrero, and Robinho.

UPDATE: 09 April 1637 GMT:

The revised starting XI above came from the HSV web site this morning (US Central time). Here’s an alternative starting XI from the Abendblatt that makes a bit more sense than moving Jansen inside and putting the hobbled Guerrero wide:

Rost

 Benjamin    Gravgaard    Mathijsen    Aogo

Trochowski    Jarolim    Rincon    Jansen

Olic    Petric

Subs would be: Hesl, Schmidt, Schulz, Ndjeng, Torun, Pitroipa, Guerrero

On with the list. And, again, please accept my apologies for the dearth of posts this past month.

When last we checked in, HSV were preparing for a visit from the now-mighty Wolfsburg at the ‘Bank. When the dust settled, gone was HSV’s undefeated record at home in all competitions the league (duh–we lost 0:1 to Ajax on Thanksgiving [November]) as Wolfsburg defeated Die Rothosen 1:3 in a match that wasn’t as close as the score would indicate, on a brace from Grafite (who the Hamburg Offside simply cannot stand). That result left HSV in a traffic jam for second place on the table.

Following the defeat to Wolfsburg, Hamburg took on lowly SV Wehen of the 2. Bundesliga in the DFB-Pokal (and by lowly, I mean LOW–at the time of the match, they were dead LAST in the 2. B’liga). HSV went through the motions and came away with a 2:1 victory, after which keeper Frank Rost prophesized (and I’m paraphrasing), If we play this shitty in our league matches, we’re going to get throttled, regardless of who we play. You know, like ‘Gladbach. Who we play Saturday. Well, Rost proved more than prescient because HSV went on the road and had their asses handed to them 4:1. Marko Marin was sublime in his–dare we dream?–audition for HSV, with a nice assist to Rob Friend on the game’s first goal and the final nail in the coffin with a penalty on our oracle Rost. The only good thing to take away from this match was that it seemed  to serve as a much needed wake up call to HSV. Or so we thought. At least I thought so.  In the interim, Hamburg drew arch rival Werder Bremen (Boo! Hiss!) away for the semi finals of the Pokal

HSV are still alive in three competitions–the league, the Pokal, and the UEFA (ne: Europa) Cup. After finishing off Nijmegen in the first knockout round, HSV drew Turkish giants Galatasaray in the round of 32. The first leg was played on 12 March at the ‘Bank and Hamburg played a less than spectacular match, failing to take full advantage of 10-man Gala for most of the 2nd half, allowing the Turks to leave town with a 1:1 draw and an ever-precious away goal (and I take exception to the author’s suggestion that there were 30,000 away supporters at the match; the ‘Bank seats 57,000 TOTAL, and they away supporters had one small section on the lower deck–a more likely number is 3,000).

The following Sonntag, HSV welcomed Cottbus to town and a visit from the relegation strugglers was just what the doctor ordered. Bayern-bound Ivica Olic pounced on the visitors 32 minutes in, and Piotr Trochowski sealed the victory with a lovely goal from about 25 yards out in the 39th minute. HSV kept 10 men in front of the ball for the entire second half and Cottbus could muster nothing more than a couple of extreme range shots.

Which brings us to the return leg of the UEFA Cup. There are few more initimidating venues for visiting football clubs than the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. With HSV playing the return leg on the road, and having conceded an away goal in the home leg of the tie, the prospects for a treble this season looked mighty, mighty bleak. And things did not look any better once the match started. Galatasaray started off the scoring with a penalty by Harry Kewel following a mugging by Jerome Boateng on Milan Baros in the area at the 42′ mark. Baros was not going to be denied this night, as he knocked home an Arda Turan poke with a nifty little lift over the charging Frank Rost just after the restart. Things looked really, really bad for HSV.

But providence smiled upon the Hanseaten and Peruvian party-boy Paolo Guerrero with a blast from another time zone to the top left corner over ‘keeper Morgan De Sanctis. And he wasn’t finished. A scant three minutes later, Guerrero shredded the Gala defense before sliding another goal past De Sanctis, drawing Hamburg even, and giving them 2 away goals for good measure. As if that weren’t enough, Olic sealed HSV’s advance to the quarterfinals with a lob goal right at full time. The amount of heart this side showed to win this match when they were down 3-1 on aggregate in one of the most difficult stadiums venues in Europe cannot be measured. To me, this will be the match we point to when we look back at the turning point of this season.

Up next for Hamburg was perennial contender Schalke 04, except that Schalke aren’t contending this season. Summarily bounced from the CL, and then the UEFA Cup, Schalke are having a rough go of it this year. So much so that their collective performance had already cost sporting director Andreas Muller his job, and the prospects for gaffer Fred Rutten weren’t looking much better. So what did Hamburg do? They put the hammer down and trounced Schalke 1:2 in match that wasn’t that close. Both goals were struck by Guerrero, whose price for a contract extension with the club has gone sky high (his current deal runs through 2010 and the club was looking to lock him up for another 2 years). And, Rutten, too, was shown the door shortly following the HSV defeat.

In the meantime, the draw for the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup has taken place, and Hamburg have drawn Manchester City, a club with which we already have more than one connection. In fact we have two. Two former faves of the Hamburg Offside, Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong, now ply their trades at Citeh, and the Citizens snuck into the quarters on penalties over Aalborg. Kompany is now playing in the midfield opposite De Jong and has been quite successful.  Really looking forward to this tie. By the way, should HSV prevail over City, we would play the winner of the Bremen-Udinese tie.

And finally, HSV dished out a little more payback for those 3 3-goal defeats we suffered in the Hinrunde, with a 1:0 victory over suddenly mortal Hoffenheim on Saturday past on a goal by speedster Jonathon Pitroipa in 28th minute.

Well, that’s it for the recap. Thanks again for your kind words whilst I was away. I intend to be back with a post about injuries and who looks to be in and who’s out come this summer, and a quick HSV-City preview before Thursday’s match.

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.