HAMBURG fans were left with egg on their faces after a premature pitch invasion backfired.
Tim Walter’s side beat SV Sandhausen 1-0 in a result which they thought would guarantee their promotion to the Bundesliga.
But unbeknown to them, Heidenheim were ready to spoil the party.
Heidenheim were away from home to Jahn Regensburg and as the clock struck 90 minutes, they were 2-1 down.
So when the Hamburg game finished, their fans stormed the pitch thinking promotion was theirs.
But Heidenheim – who had 11 minutes of added time to play – pulled one back to make it level.
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And in a stunning turn of events, Tim Kleindienst turned the game on its head in the NINTH minute of stoppage time.
Not only did it deny Hamburg automatic promotion, it also clinched Heidenheim the Bundesliga 2 title.
After the roller coaster of events, Hamburg boss Walter said: “We did our job today, but so did Heidenheim.
“Accordingly, we congratulate you on your promotion. Of course we’re disappointed, but we’re well prepared for the [play-off].
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“We will put a powerful squad on the field and want to have the upper hand this year.”
Sandhausen even had to apologise after they wrongly congratulated Hamburg on promotion.
Instead, Walter’s men will have to settle for a place in the play-offs.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
