2–1 – HSV Win Final Pre-Season Friendly in Toulouse

The Rothosen got off to the perfect start. In the fourth minute, Adeline won the ball on the left wing, Stange picked it up, looked up and superbly curled it into the far corner to give HSV a 1–0 lead! The hosts responded by noticeably increasing the tempo and, at times, playing their way into the Hamburg half with plenty of offensive actions. However, the Rothosen rarely allowed the French side into promising positions, meaning an Azizi cross from the left that went behind for a goal kick remained their only real approach to goal for some time (9'). Toulouse became more dangerous in the 20th minute when, following a set piece, Gboho got a central shot away from outside the box. The ball might well have found its way into the net but was denied due to a crucial block by Sambi Lokonga.

Nine minutes later, Daka moved the ball on to Lemke, who found himself on the left side of the penalty area and shot with his weaker right foot, winning a corner. From the resulting delivery, Remberg headed narrowly over the bar. Shortly after, Hamburg broke towards the opposition goal with a numerical advantage. Near the byline, Adeline laid the ball off to the better-positioned Jatta, whose low right-footed effort went straight into goalkeeper Restes’ arms (33'). Just a minute later, Jatta beat the keeper with a shot from a very tight angle but was denied by the right-hand post. HSV also came extremely close to making it 2–0 in the 38th minute: Sambi Lokonga floated a free kick towards the far post, Torunarigha squared it to Nandja, whose header went narrowly wide of the right post – and also just beyond the onrushing Daka. At the half-time whistle, the lively Rothosen therefore had to settle for a one-goal lead.

HSV made a change for the goalie position for the second half, with Tangvik replacing Heuer Fernandes to get some minutes of his own. The second half began with fewer chances than the first had ended with. In fact, it took 15 minutes for the next opportunity – and that one resulted in a goal. Toulouse equalised at 1–1: Azizi found space on the right wing, crossed into the middle and picked out Hidalgo, whose header found its way into the net. Shortly afterwards, the post prevented things from getting worse for HSV. Tape tried his luck from outside the box and sent a low effort against the woodwork (63').

Both sides then made a number of substitutions. Toulouse were the team controlling proceedings at this stage, but the closing stages were to belong to the Rothosen. In the 87th minute, Grønbæk stepped up to take a free kick from the left wing, went directly for goal and fired into Restes’ arms. Shortly before the final whistle, the Dane was at the centre of the action once again. Following good work from Jatta and a touch via Ojo, the ball fell to him inside the penalty area. Grønbæk took aim and drove a half-height effort into the right side of the net to score HSV’s 2–1 winner! Head coach Polzin’s side therefore successfully completed their final major test ahead of their competitive opener at Verl.