With just seconds on the clock, Cacau got his first sight of goal, hitting the side netting from a tight angle. Soon after, at the other end, Zhi Gin Lam tested Sven Ulreich, in what was a pacy, attacking game. With a quarter hour played, Serbian international Zdravko Kuzmanovic drove in a shot from distance, which Drobny could only parry, and Martin Harnik pounced to hammer the loose ball home and give the home side a 1-0 lead. The closing phase of the first period was littered with poor passing, which meant no further chances were created at either end and VfB took their slim advantage into the half time break.

VfB fail to create

The side from the Hanseatic city came out from the break looking like a totally different team – as did VfB, but in a less than positive manner, allowing the visitors back into the game with chances on goal and set-pieces. In the 51st minute, Jeffrey Burma stooped in to get on the end of a corner and level the scores – 1-1. Soon after, Ulreich was called into action to prevent his side from going behind.

With the exception of a 25 meter free-kick from Kuzmanovic, VfB were able to create little going forward and in the 67th minute, Hamburger SV turned the game completely on its head. Yet another corner saw the ball knocked into the path of Robert Tesche, who volleyed powerfully from 13 meters out to make it 2-1 for the guests.