Sigma Olmütz 0 - 1 Hamburg SV (Intertoto Cup)
A 49th minute goal by Dutch new signing Rafael van der Vaart gave HSV a superb first leg lead in their Intertoto Cup semi-final away to the Czech Republic side Sigma Olmütz on Wednesday evening. A sell-out crowd of 12,059 in the Andruv-stadium saw the Bundesliga side on top for most of the game. Next Wednesday (03.08.07, kick off 8.00 pm), HSV will have a golden opportunity to move into the final as they face the Czechs at home in the AOL Arena. Belgian striker Emile Mpenza had several good chances in Olmüz, but failed to convert any of them…
Skipper on board
Coach Thomas Doll had to do without his suspended new signing Guy Demel for the trip to Olmütz, but was gratified by the news that his skipper Daniel van Buyten had recovered in time from a toe infection fort he first leg tie. As expected, the Czech-born midfielder David Jarolim played instead of youngster Piotr Trochowski.
HSV on top
HSV took a hold on the game early on, and had the home side on the back foot right away. Emile Mpenza went close with two headers within the first 6 minutes. The home side was unable to make their mark on the game, apart from a 19th minute effort by their Brazilian midfielder Melinho. Although on top, HSV was unable to capitalise on the lion’s share of possession and turn it into goals during the first half. On 24 minutes, Sergej Barbarez had the best chance of the half, but he miss-hit his effort which was then easily cleared by the Olmüz keeper.
Dream goal by van der Vaart
HSV was finally rewarded for their superiority on 49 minutes, as their Dutch midfield ace Rafael van der Vaart took the ball to the edge of the Olmüz area, from where he looked up, before curling a superb shot into the top right hand corner of the Olmüz net with their keeper watching in admiration. Six minutes later, Mpenza was unlucky to see his shot come back off a post after a wonderful through pass by Barbarez. Thomas Doll will have been pleased by his side’s defensive performance, van Buyten, Khalid Boulahrouz and Co. were watertight at the back.
Doll: “My lads battled well” After going in front, HSV concentrated on keeping their precious lead and did so in a dominant manner. Now they can eagerly look forward to the second leg with an away goal in their pocket. A place in the Intertoto Cup final is on the cards for HSV. After the game, Dolly was understandably happy with the way things went: "We knew it would be a tough game. But my lads battled well and deserved their win. We were easily the better side on the night", said the HSV coach.
Sigma Olmütz: Blaha - Hubnik (37.Kopecky), Kovar, Pecnik, Hudec - Randa - Onofrej, Vacek, Babnic, Melinho - Rojka (57.Bednar)
HSV: Wächter - Klingbeil, van Buyten, Boulahrouz, Atouba - Wicky (89.Karl), Jarolim, Beinlich, van der Vaart - Mpenza (73.Lauth), Barbarez
Goals: 0:1 Van der Vaart (49.)
Source: hsv.de
