Hamburger SV fans staged a vivid protest against potential relegation in 2014. The event occurred on May 18 during a stadium public viewing for the crucial Bundesliga relegation second leg against Greuther Fürth, as documented in a report by www.google.com. Supporters held aloft a banner reading 'Never second Division - HSV'. A display simultaneously showed the club's long-running membership in Germany's top flight. Photographer Fabian Bimmer captured the moment for Reuters, with the image bearing the USN BM2EA5I1CRQ01. Today, in 2026, HSV faces a different sporting reality. The club finished the 2025 season in 13th place in the Bundesliga with 38 points, from nine wins, eleven draws, and fourteen losses. Their goal tally of 40 scored and 54 conceded resulted in a negative fourteen goal difference.
What happened at the 2014 public viewing?
Fans gathered inside the stadium to watch the decisive match on big screens. It was the second leg of the relegation playoff between the then-Bundesliga side HSV and second-division club Greuther Fürth. The atmosphere was tense as HSV fought to preserve its top-flight status. The displayed 'Never second Division' banner encapsulated the collective fear of the supporter base about dropping into the 2. Bundesliga. DFL rules for online coverage during the match time permitted a maximum of 15 pictures per game. Sequences intended to simulate video streams were not allowed. For specific queries on these guidelines, the agency referred to the DFL at telephone number +49 69 650050.
What is HSV's current situation?
Hamburger SV's present circumstances are markedly different from the relegation fears of 2014. The club secured its top-flight status with a 13th-place finish in the 2025 season, yet ended up 51 points behind champions Bayern Munich. Their recent form before season's end showed a mixed record of DWWLL. The next major test comes on August 29, 2026, as HSV travels to face current second-placed side Borussia Dortmund. The full schedule can be checked on our fixtures page. A statistical breakdown of the past campaign is also available in our stats.
What is the picture's significance today?
Fabian Bimmer's photograph is a historical document from an era that ultimately ended for HSV. It captures the moment when the club's long-standing first-division membership was on the line. The fans' fear eventually became reality: HSV was later relegated. The image, measuring 3500 x 2024 pixels and sized at 2.6MB, is available for licensing under the credit line REUTERS. It serves as a reminder of a time when the club was a permanent fixture in the Bundesliga. Today, HSV must continue its journey from the second tier, even though the most recent 2025 season signaled stability. The detailed table and further league data is provided in our standings overview.
HSV's immediate next steps are fully focused on the upcoming Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund. The team aims to build on the positive development from last season and establish itself in the mid-table region. The memory of the 2014 relegation battle remains a cautionary historical reference point.
