In an interview published by Hamburg, club captain Sebastian Schonlau has delivered a composed yet passionate message: the team is close to achieving their goal of Bundesliga promotion, but they are not quite there yet.
| Sebastian Schonlau of Hamburg reacts during the 2. Bundesliga match between Hamburger SV and SV Darmstadt in December. | Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images |
Speaking to HSV.de as the club prepares for a potentially decisive fixture against SSV Ulm, captain Schonlau reflected on the atmosphere surrounding the club as the season draws to a climax: “We’ve worked towards this for a long time, the whole club, the fans, and us as players,” he said: “The excitement is massive. Around the city, you can sense that people no longer just hope it will happen, they believe it will.”
Having the chance to seal promotion with a win this Saturday is a welcome contrast to previous seasons, where HSV have fallen short multiple times. “Back then, we needed results in the relegation matches,” said the 30-year-old. “Now, we’re still in the regular season, and we’re in control. We want to finish it this weekend.”
The defender was quick to temper the anticipation with a dose of realism, however, with HSV needing to earn three points against a determined Ulm side fighting for their own survival.
“We mustn’t think too much about the moment of promotion. We’ve still got work to do,” he stressed. “We’re approaching the match with full focus and professionalism. It’s still just a football match, and we want to win it.”
Suspended for the game after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season in Darmstadt last time out, Schonlau admits that watching his team from the sidelines will be painful: “Of course it hurts. I came to HSV to help the club return to the Bundesliga. You imagine being out there for that moment, not sitting beside the pitch. But, this is not about me, it is about the team.”
Despite his absence on the pitch, the captain will remain close to the action on the day: “I’ll be in the dressing room, offering support wherever I can. But this team has shown we no longer rely on individuals the way we might have done in the past. The lads know what needs to be done.”
This unity is something head coach Merlin Polzin has consistently prioritised, and Schonlau believes that it has made all the difference this season: “It might sound like a cliché, but we really are a team this year. Everyone is behind the goal. No one complains, no one sulks. That’s why, in the end, it doesn’t matter who’s on the pitch, as long as we do it together.”
For Schonlau, the campaign has also brought personal challenges. Losing his starting spot in the second half of the season was difficult, but he chose to respond with maturity and consistency. “I’ve always spoken about how the group comes first, so I couldn’t suddenly change when things didn’t go my way. That would’ve undone everything I stood for during my time here.”
The experience forced him to reflect more deeply. “You start asking yourself: who am I beyond football? How do I handle setbacks? It was tough, but I’ve learnt a lot.”
His recent performance in Darmstadt, stepping in and contributing to a vital win, was a highlight. “There was a bit of pressure, and we didn’t start well. But we stayed committed, stuck to our plan, and fought for everything. That match summed up what makes us strong this year, everyone giving everything, even the players coming off the bench.”
Following the recent defeat to Karlsruhe, Schonlau also played a key leadership role behind the scenes. “Everyone was disappointed. But I reminded the group: setbacks are part of the journey. They can’t knock us off course.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, his message is clear. “This is the match we’ve all been working towards. Every one of us has put so much into this season in their own way. Now we just need to take that final step. And we’re ready, full of belief and energy.”
