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20.07.19

Successful Volksparkfest with over 20,000 visitors

Over 20,000 HSV fans visited the fifth annual Volksparkfest on Saturday (20th July) and welcomed the 2019/20 season along with their favourite players, seeing them in action on and off the pitch

Saturday, 20th July, 10am: After weeks of typically grotty Hamburg weather, the sun finally came out just in time for the Volksparkfest gates to open, with punters greeted with scintillating 25-degree heat. Just like the previous years, the family festival took place just in front of the east stand of the Volksparkstadion. HSV arranged around 50 different activities with various different partners, with something on offer for everyone. 

Varied festival programme for young and old

There was lots of offer even for the wee HSV fans, who could test their mutinous spirit with a pirate ship bouncy castle, could prove how powerful their shots were on the speed gun, or display their accuracy with football darts, presented by Admiral. HSV kit provider Adidas were also present at the festival, organising a qualification tournament as part of its Soccercourt series, with the winner advancing to the Tango League main event in Hamburg. A particular highlight for many festival attendees was the Zorb football court provided by the Hamburger Weg, HSV’s foundation. On the astro turf next to the car park, the participants could perhaps tackle a bit harder than usual, with the Zorb plastic bubble over the top half of their body bouncing into the opponent before they had a chance to actually touch them. At the HSV e.V. stands the fans were able to test out a number of sports that they maybe hadn’t tried before, such as wheelchair basketball or ice hockey. The culinary matchday experience was also also not be missed, with a wide range on offer to whet everyone’s appetite; from filling to sweet, fish to Bratwurst and crepe to ice cream, every possible cuisine was available. 

Draw against RSC Anderlecht

With the families suitably entertained by the festivities it was time for the first game at the Volksparkstadion of the 2019/20 season. HSV club manager Bernd Wehmeyer opened the first König Pilsener barrel of the new season, which will be used to quench the thirst of the Rothosen fans throughout the year ahead, whilst mascot Dino Hermann was on hand to distribute a number of brand-new home kits to a small number of children watching the game from the stands. With the pre-show finished the main event could get underway, namely between HSV and the current team of ex-player Vincent Kompany. At the end of the 90 minutes both teams had managed to twice get on the scoresheet, with the draw more suiting Anderlecht, who had found themselves two goals down with half an hour to go.

Autograph signing cut short

Despite the late comeback from the guests, the atmosphere after the game was positive, partly due to an event that was still to come, with the whole HSV team making themselves available for a two-hour autograph session with the fans after the game. It all started promisingly, with both players and coaching staff spread out across two tents, dutifully signing autographs and fulfilling wishes for photos. However, the Hamburg weather had other ideas, as the heavens opened and the session had to be cut short, so that everyone could find shelter and ensuring that everyone remained safe and dry. The rain couldn’t put a dampener on an otherwise successful day, ensuring spirits amongst players and fans alike remain high going into the first game of the season next Sunday against Darmstadt.