Who could’ve guessed 54,000 fans would turn the Volksparkstadion into a sea of colour? Eye‑catching choreographies lit up Sunday as Hamburg hosted FC Copenhagen in a friendship friendly.
<!–>
The story began over 25 years ago, during the 2005/2006 season, when Die Rothosen and Copenhagen drew each other in the first round of the UEFA Cup, with a place in the group stage at stake. Fans of the Danish club had planned a choreo for the first leg in Hamburg, but they ran out of sticky tape. Empathising with their dilemma, HSV fans stepped in to help them out.
In the return leg, the Copenhagen faithful returned the favour and offered a helping hand to the large travelling support from Germany. Despite the dramatic events on the pitch that night – Rafael van der Vaart slotted home an injury-time penalty to secure a 2-1 aggregate win for Hamburg – a friendship was sealed that endures to this day.
–><!–>
Hamburg’s Rafael van der Vaart scored the winning goal from the spot against FC Copenhagen in the second leg of their 2005/2006 UEFA Cup tie. – Imago –>
Since that first meeting, ties have deepened, with supporters crossing the Germany‑Denmark border regularly. Hamburg, boasting 14 Danish alumni like Lars Bastrup and Thomas Gravesen, even trained in Helsingør earlier this July.
Late drama mirrored 2005’s climax when Kofi Amoako and Nicolai Remberg struck in the final seven minutes, sealing a 2‑0 win. Yet the scoreboard mattered less than the fans’ dazzling displays and the match’s joyous vibe.
Nicolai Remberg nets Hamburg’s second goal in the 2‑0 win. – IMAGO/Claus Bergmann
For my money, this growing camaraderie outshines any league rivalry. The clubs, just 335 km apart, met again in 2025 when 8,000 HSV fans travelled to Copenhagen’s Parken, witnessing a 1‑0 loss but unforgettable mutual support.