HSV home game against Mönchengladbach to go ahead

HSV’s home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday at 15:30 CET will go ahead as planned. Almost 44 hours after the home game against Bayer Leverkusen was called off, structural engineers and club officials reassessed the situation at the Volksparkstadion. The continuous work carried out by rope access specialists since the roof was cleared for high-level operations, combined with ongoing milder temperatures, has significantly improved the situation and eased concerns around the roof. Spectator safety for Saturday’s game is assured.

Work will continue at two specific sections of the roof membrane until tomorrow. 12 rope access technicians remain on site around the clock, removing remaining snow and ice from targeted areas on the north and south-west sections of the roof. Late on Tuesday afternoon, accumulations of snow and meltwater had formed pockets in the membrane at these points, causing the catwalk suspended beneath the roof to tilt noticeably in places. As a result, the Leverkusen match had to be postponed at short notice for safety reasons. In some areas of the roof structure, loads of up to 350 kilograms per square metre from snow and meltwater were recorded – all of which are due to be fully removed by Friday afternoon.

“We’re delighted that the situation has eased thanks to the work of the rope access teams and the support of above-freezing temperatures,” said Daniel Nolte, stadium director. The catwalk – the service walkway suspended beneath the roof – has already risen by more than 30 centimetres and is now close to its normal position again. Nolte added: “No lasting damage has been identified. The remaining snow on the roof will now thaw as expected over the coming days and drain away in the normal manner.”