Europa, here we come!

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, after some very tense games last night, HSV will be playing in the new Europa League competition! Unfortunately, living in the second most isolated city in the world means that I was stuck watching Wolfsburg (but when it’s Bremen being beaten thrashed, it’s all good!) Luckily Jan’s liveblog kept me updated on the match (cheers Jan!)

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

Category: Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach, Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt, Martin Jol, Match Recap, Team News, UEFA Cup, VfL Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen