High-risk game HSV against St. Pauli: Police ready for explosive derby night!

High-risk game HSV against St. Pauli: Police ready for explosive derby night!

What's going on in Hamburg? Tonight at 8:30 p.m. the eagerly awaited city derby between Hamburger SV and FC St. Pauli is on the program. A game that has a tradition and heats up the tempers of both fan groups. Police are preparing for the high-risk game and are optimistic despite the challenges this derby brings.

The enthusiasm could be dampened somewhat by a concert by the singer Cro, who will perform at the trotting track in front of around 30,000 fans. This could potentially defuse the situation, but the police are still expecting significant traffic disruptions in the west of Hamburg as almost 60,000 football fans will be on their feet. An optimistic police spokesman Christian Schreiber refers to the experience gained from previous years, when around 1,900 emergency services, including 600 from other federal states, were on site during similar city duels. The security concept was developed in close cooperation with both clubs to ensure separation between rival supporters, especially at critical points such as the intersection of Stresemannstrasse and Bornkampsweg/Bahrenfelder Steindamm.

The challenge of fan marches

If you look at the planned fan marches, it becomes clear that there is a lot of movement going on here. The Hamburger SV supporters gather at Platz der Republik in Altona at 3 p.m., while the St. Pauli fans set off on bicycles from the Millerntor Stadium at 4:15 p.m. This temporal overlap presents its own challenges for police, especially since the paths of the two fan camps could cross. The speed of the St. Pauli fans represents an additional challenge that the emergency services have to keep a close eye on.

The discussion about security is also accompanied by the problem of hooliganism, which has arisen again and again in recent years. Crime research shows that the willingness to use violence in the fan scene is by no means decreasing, on the contrary. There are significant concerns that male ideals and hooliganism are becoming more important. Nevertheless, both the police and clubs want a “peaceful football festival” without violence, as Police Chief Falk Schnabel emphasizes.

Communication between fans and clubs

Another issue that needs to be looked at in such games is communication between the clubs and their fans. Frustrations often arise from decisions made by club management, which are often seen as an interference with the passionate fan culture. The handling of financial matters between clubs and fans is also always a hotly debated topic. In order to prevent future conflicts, investments in fan culture and fan projects are necessary. This discussion is not made any easier by the constant incidents of hooligan violence, which calls on everyone involved to think about new strategies.

The anticipation is rising and the city is basically excited for this derby. The meeting between the two clubs not only has sporting relevance, but also causes a lot of excitement in the city. The police will do everything in their power to make the game an unforgettable event for true football fans and to nip any outbreaks of violence in the bud. A good plan is already in the drawer, now we just have to wait and see how events will develop.

The Borkener Zeitung remains critical for current developments and further information, while the Hamburg T-Online provided us with details on the police's preparation. The MDR also sheds light on the dynamics surrounding high-risk games in the Bundesliga and the problem of hooliganism.