Hamburg relegated from Bundesliga for first time in farcical scenes

Ultras caused match's end

Posted Sunday, May 13, 2018 by Marca.com

The famous clock that sits proudly on the Volksparkstadion's north-west corner must finally reset to zero after Hamburg's first relegation to Bundesliga II was confirmed on Saturday.

Two relegation play-offs have been won in the past five seasons and 2016/17 saw an 86th minute final day goal knock Wolfsburg into 16th place and preserve the northerner's unmatched 55-year feat.

Hamburg relegated from Bundesliga for first time in farcical scenes

However that came to an end despite a 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on the banks of the River Elbe, as a 4-1 win for Wolfsburg at home to Koln earned their revenge.

Hamburg relegated from Bundesliga for first time in farcical scenes

As the clocked ticked down on Saturday and Hamburg's fate became clear, the ultras section hurled flares and set off fireworks to define a turbulent era for the club in a farcical manner.

Police cordoned off part of the pitch and play was stopped for 17 minutes, after which the players returned and confirmed their fate to the dignified applause of the rest of Volksparkstadion; a World Cup arena soon to host second-tier football.