3-0 Win at Verl – HSV comfortably advance to the second round of the cup

Hamburger SV officially began their new 2026/27 campaign with their first-round DFB-Pokal match away to SC Verl. After an initially even opening period, the hosts gradually took control and created the first opportunities in front of the Hamburg goal. Waidner worked his way down the right and cut the ball back into the middle, where the HSV defence initially managed to clear. Clausen met the loose ball first time on the edge of the penalty area, narrowly missing the right post (13').

Shortly afterwards, HSV goalie Tangvik was called into action for the first time. Following a long throw from Kijewski, Heike rose highest to meet the ball with a header, but failed to generate enough power and Tangvik picked it comfortably. The Hamburg goalkeeper was called upon again moments later as Leipold broke through centrally and fired from around 20 metres. The Norwegian goalkeeper dived low and made a safe save (15').

Verl continued to be the more active side and repeatedly put the HSV defence under pressure. The Rothosen had to wait until the 39th minute for their first dangerous attack. Grønbæk dribbled into the penalty area and slipped the ball through to Adeline, who was denied from close range by Verl goalkeeper Schlieck.

HSV then began to up the ante – and soon struck clinically. Vogler took a heavy touch while attempting to build from the back, allowing Grønbæk to pounce and win possession. After combining with Daka, he found himself through on goal and calmly beat Schlieck from close range to make it 1-0 to the Rothosen. With the lead secured, Hamburg headed into the half-time break shortly after.

Neither side made any changes at the break – and HSV made a dream start to the second half. Grønbæk picked up speed on the left, nutmegged Eze and then fired towards goal. His shot flew into the bottom-left corner, giving Schlieck no chance and making it 2-0 (46').

Just a few minutes later, HSV added a third. Remberg pressed aggressively in the counter-press, won the ball and slipped it through to Lemke on the edge of the penalty area. The youngster kept his cool in front of goal and finished into the far corner. Schlieck managed to get his fingertips to the ball, but could not prevent Hamburg's third goal (50'). At just 16 years, ten months and 17 days old, Lemke became the youngest goalscorer in HSV history.

The game became quieter following the two goals. HSV increasingly dropped deeper and defended compactly, while Verl kept possession and looked for openings in the Hamburg defence. However, the hosts could barely find a way through the Rothosen's well-organised back line.

In the closing stages, the Rothosen created a couple more dangerous opportunities. In the 82nd minute, Philippe broke through on the left-hand side and got a shot away, but was unable to challenge the goalie. Shortly afterwards, Stange also tried his luck: after Adeline had played him into space on the left, he was denied by Schlieck from a tight angle (88'). Shortly afterwards, 18-year-old Bissi-Mouelle made his competitive debut for HSV, replacing Adeline.

There was one final moment of danger in front of the HSV goal during stoppage time, when Farouk sent a free-kick from the left side narrowly past the left-hand post. Shortly afterwards, Tangvik was called upon once more. Clausen struck from distance and aimed for the bottom-left corner, but the Norwegian goalkeeper stretched to his full height and turned the ball safely away.

The final whistle followed shortly afterwards. With a convincing 3-0 victory at SC Verl, the Rothosen advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal, with the draw taking place on 5 September. HSV's next fixture is in the Bundesliga on Saturday (29 August) at 6.30pm, when they travel to face Borussia Dortmund.