After seven long years in the wilderness, Hamburg SV are finally back in the big time. The historic German club, one of the founding members and longest-standing sides in the Bundesliga, have clinched automatic promotion with one matchday to spare following a thumping 6-1 victory over SSV Ulm.

This emphatic win secured Hamburg at least second place in the 2. Bundesliga, guaranteeing a long-awaited return to Germany's top flight for the 2025/26 season. The promotion is a huge moment for a club that once prided itself on never being relegated — until 2018 shattered that legacy.

The man behind the resurgence? None other than Merlin Polzin, a 34-year-old Hamburg native, who has masterminded the club’s revival in his first full season as head coach. Polzin, previously a youth coach and assistant, has now etched his name in HSV history with this remarkable achievement.

Leading the charge on the pitch was experienced forward Davie Selke, who enjoyed a career-best season. The former Hertha BSC and Werder Bremen striker netted an impressive 22 goals in 30 league appearances, becoming the club’s top scorer and a key figure in their promotion push.