Sunny Relief in the HDI Arena
With an unexpected win away from home against Dortmund and then another unexpected defeat in the Pokal against Aalem since the last home game Hannover 96 have had a strange week. The early momentum from the opening few games has gone and it is difficult to see how this is going this going to change. What we need is belief!
It was a beautiful sunny day today in Hannover and walking to the stadium the hope was that this November ray of sunshine would extend over the HDI arena. In reality, a game against Eintracht Frankfurt who have a free-flowing attack who have scored 17 goals so far in the Bundesliga compared to Hannover’s paltry 7 goals. The signs were there that this could be disappointing afternoon. The attendance reflected this, for the first Saturday game this season, the stadium was not sold out. After the last two home games some fans have probably decided to stay at home.
The last home game ended with a chorus of boos coming from certain sections of the crowd to one of the most pitiful performances that I have seen by the midfield of a professional team. Here is a new game and while the fans still remember the last few games, the atmosphere at the beginning of the game was one of flag waving, cheering, clapping and singing albeit a bit muted.
This is where football fans and football players have a “give and take” relationship. We will cheer you on and sing to create a combative atmosphere BUT you must give us something to cheer about. This week the players gave us exactly that right from the first minute. The opening 20 minutes it was a completely different team to the last two games. Hannover could have taken an early lead after 10 mins but a last-ditch defensive clearance on the line from a Jimmy Briand half chance. Hannover were playing well and the fans were responding. Then all the pressure on the Eintracht Frankfurt goal cracked and a cross gave Jimmy Briand, who leaped highest, a headed goal at the back post around the 20 minute mark. The stadium erupted on for a few seconds only to realise the referee had disallowed the goal. As I sit in the South Stand the “goal” was scored about 30 feet away from me and I have no idea why it was disallowed and judging by the reaction of the complete stadium nobody else know why either. THIS was a bad decision…or at least it seemed to be. This had a bit of a negative effect on the team and the next 10 or so minutes the game started to lose its direction but the chorus of boos, jeers and whistles for the referee continued for the next few minutes and united the supporters.
The first half ended 0-0 with Hannover getting back in control of the game and they would be a bit disappointed and nervous not to be going into the half time break with a well deserved lead.
The second half started and the fans started cheering hoping for more of the same that we saw in the first half. Then…..another contraversial decision from the referee and all of a sudden a ball was smashed across the complete pitch that came from the Hannover dugout. The pressure and tension were so high that all these decisions (which I view as terrible) from the referee caused a vent of frustration in the form of kicking a ball hard across the pitch. Complaints going to the 4th official and across came the referee and sent Jörg Sievers to the stands.
Hannover started pushing further and further up the pitch and did leave themselves a bit vulnerable at the back and Frankfurt did a couple of counter attack chances but nothing was equal to our world cup winning goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler parrying, punching and deflecting all that they had to offer.
While the game was looking like heading to 0-0, the fans seemed to be bit more contented with the performance this week than in previous games. Out comes the Hannover 96 mascot “Eddie” to get the fans cheering a bit louder right until the final whistle. THEN…..and this is why football is the best sport in the world and why you should always play your best until the final whistle, a free kick in the 88th minute given to Hannover, the ball is whipped in and then all of a sudden the net ripples…”GOOOOAL” and this one counts. I cannot fully explain the joy and relief that was felt within the stadium. The goal in the stadium was given to Marcelo but it was Alexander Madlung who deflected the ball into his own net. The fans jumping for joy and ALL the players run and celebrate in the dugout. The relief by Hannover coaching staff was apparent for all to see.
This time, I leave the stadium with a massive smile on my face not only happy with the result but happy with much better performance. The next game is a winnable away game in Berlin and the next visitors to HDI arena is Bayer Leverkusen on the 22nd November at 15:30.
Come on everyone, lets keep our heads high, it was a marked improvement on the previous games…. Auf gehts Hannover!
Hannover 96 1 – 0 Eintracht Frankfurt
1-0 Alexander Madlung (og) 88min
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