Two of the most tradition rich teams in German football were at the centre of attention in the final day of the season yesterday ... and both proved that tradition gets you nowhere it's performances on the pitch that count, which is where both were lacking.
First of all Hamburger SV needed to pick up points against visiting Sandhausen, whilst hoping that champions Arminia Bielefeld dispatched FC Heidenheim, which would allow HSV to jump above their rivals for a play off place. Arminia did their bit, comfortably winning 3-0, leaving the former European champions on the Elbe only needing a draw. However what ensured was possibly the worst result and performance in club history as they went down to a 5-1 defeat at home.
As a result there will be no Nordderby play-off against Werder Bremen for a place in the Bundesliga, HSV will play their trade in Bundesliga.2 for at least one more season.
At the other end of the table 1. FC Nürnberg needed to match the result that Karlsruher SC achieved away at Gruether Furth to ensure there would be no second straight relegation for the team known as “der Club”. All was going well initially as Nürnberg were leading at Holstein Kiel and Karlsruher were trailing. However that all changed in the second half as KSC came back to win 2-1. That would have been enough if 1. FCN had maintained their lead, but Kiel scored a late equaliser which lifted KSC above their rivals on goal difference and ensure survival in their first season in Bundesliga.2.
1. FC Nürnberg go face the prospect of a two-legged play-off against the team finishing third in the 3.Liga to see if they can avoid an ignominious drop into the third tier for the first time in their history.