Karlsruher SC won 4-3 at HSV on matchday 19 of the 2nd league and is now unbeaten in seven games. The match winner on the Baden side was a native of Hamburg.
What a game! Leading 2-0 after five minutes, a double strike made it 2-2 before the break. Immediately after the start of the second half, we went ahead again, had to accept the equalizer, and finally scored the “lucky punch” just under ten minutes before the end. Karlsruher SC’s 4-3 win at Hamburger SV was anything but an ordinary game – and KSC’s first win against the Hanseatic League in 31 years. The Baden people’s feeling afterwards was corresponding.
Christian Eichner: “It was the wild game we expected”
“It’s almost too early to talk about it,” said KSC coach Christian Eichner after the final whistle on the ARD microphone, still shaken by the turbulent game and then going deeper into the analysis. “It was the wild game we expected. Unfortunately, we are far too often participants in such games. The game did everything it promised before. Thank God the ‘Lucky Punch’ was on our side this time,” he said the coach relieved.
After the early 2-0 lead thanks to Igor Matanovic’s brace (3rd and 5th minutes), his team failed to add the third goal early on the counterattack, Eichner continued. “And then HSV, with its quality, is HSV. This is where the timetable for the game develops from,” said the 41-year-old.
The KSC shows taker qualities
Bakery Jatta (33′) and Laszlo Benes (35′) equalized for the Hanseatic League to make it 2-2, before Budu Siwziwadze (46′) put the KSC back in front. Robert Glatzel (62nd) scored to make it 3-3, but the Baden team once again showed their ability to take the game. Marvin Wanitzek (81st) scored the much celebrated winning goal for the guests.
Special praise for Igor Matanovic
Eichner had special praise for attacker Igor Matanovic, who was on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 20-year-old is a native of Hamburg and trained at HSV rivals FC St. Pauli (2010-2023). “Igor has developed incredibly since he has been with us. He has huge potential,” said the KSC coach. “Sometimes the boy doesn’t yet know what’s possible for him. He’s not yet at the end of his development, we want to help him.” The striker now has six goals this season.
“Two things here at HSV – that’s obviously really big”
Matanovic himself beamed with happiness after the final whistle. “To achieve two things here at HSV as an ex-Paulian is of course really big,” he said. “I’m happy when I can give something back to the team for the trust they have placed in me. That was just a great win!”
A very special success for the youngster – in front of numerous acquaintances. “My whole family was there, from mother to sister to cousins. That was of course something very special,” said Matanovic.
But the success of the team is even more important than his personal performance. The KSC has now been unbeaten in seven games since November 11th (2:2 at Hertha BSC). The Baden team is currently in eighth place with 27 points. “It’s going well for us at the moment,” said Matanovic. “It was important to get away from the bottom of the table. The mood here is great – but now we have to keep pushing.”