"Wir wollen euch kämpfen sehen!"

Die Roten continued to be on the wrong side of the score when away from the Niedersachsenstadion as they lost 2-1 to HSV. With only two draws to show for twelve away matches, besides the significant injuries, the road problems are at the root of the 96's proximity to the relegation zone.

Missing Polish international Jacek Krzynówek and Jan Rosenthal, Dieter Hecking was forced to use both Konstantin Rausch and Leon Andreasen in his starting eleven who were well below optimal fitness. Right from the start HSV sent waves of attackers forward and a minute after the start Mladen Petrić volleyed Jerome Boateng cross past Robert Enke. HSV would have doubled the margin eleven minutes later but Enke proved why he is Joachim Löw's choice as he robbed Piotr Trochowski from point-blank range. Chances in the opposite direction although just before the half Arnold Bruggink supplied Gaëtan Krebs a quality chance but his effort was over the bar. Seven minutes after the restart, the Croatian Petrić had his second of the day as he sent in a rebound from Paolo Guerrero's effort. Needing another attack to get back in the match Mikael Forssell was ushered in for Leon Andreasen shortly thereafter and after ten minutes the momentum slowly shifted in die Roten's direction. After Mike Hanke could not close-out a quality chance, HSV's Guy Demel was adjudged a penalty in the area and the spot was pointed to. Mikael Forssell converted from the spot to set-up a feverish final twenty minutes in answer to 96's traveling fans chants. Dieter Hecking pushed Mario Eggimann up as 96 tactically went to three across the top but despite strong efforts, the needed goal didn't materialize as the match ended with a 2-1 loss.