Jean-Luc Dompe's early winner was not enough to secure Hamburg's return to the Bundesliga even as they defeated Sandhausen 1-0 on the final day of the Bundesliga 2 campaign.

Sandhausen 0-1 Hamburg
Goals: 0-1 Jean-Luc Dompe 3' (assist: Königsdörffer)

While the visitors needed Heidenheim to slip up at all-but-relegated Regensburg to have any chance of returning to the German elite, they would only be able to take advantage of such a situation if they picked up all three points at the BWT-Stadion am Hardtwald. With so much on the line, though, it didn't take them long to break the deadlock, as Dompe volleyed Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer's cross into the roof of the net from close range after just three minutes. Against a side whose demotion to the third tier had already been confirmed, HSV dominated the first period, and would have doubled their advantage had Robert Glatzel timed his header at the back post a little better midway through the half. The hosts, meanwhile, offered little going forward, although Dennis Diekmeier's mishit shot when unmarked shortly before the interval was a clear warning for Tim Walter's outfit that they could not afford to rest on their laurels.

After the break, the real action of note, at least for those of a Hamburg persuasion, took place 189 miles away in Regensburg, where Die Jahnelf moved into a two-goal lead against Heidenheim. Unsurprisingly, news of those developments found its way to the HSV supporters in Sandhausen, and they could hardly contain their excitement. Their own team, though, were unable to find the second goal they needed to give themselves some breathing space, struggling to threaten Sandhausen goalkeeper Patrick Drewes. Fortunately for Walter and Co, their opponents were also lacking in the final third and, in the end, they never looked like forcing an equaliser. However, Heidenheim staged an unlikely comeback in their own encounter, meaning Hamburg will now face VfB Stuttgart in the two-legged relegation play-off.

Match stats

• Hamburg's haul of 66 points is their highest tally since the 2005/06 Bundesliga season, when they secured UEFA Champions League qualification, while it is the most points ever picked up by third place in the second tier.
• The winner was Dompe's third goal of the season, all of which have come with his right foot despite him playing predominantly on the left wing.
• Königsdörffer's assist was his first of the campaign, having found the back of the net eight times himself.
• Sandhausen's 11-year stay in the Bundesliga 2 comes to an end - having never previously played at this level, this is their first relegation from the division.
• Diekmeier, who was making his first appearance since the start of April, spent eight years in HSV colours between 2010 and 2018.
• The hosts end the season having conceded 63 goals, this most in the division.

Teams

Sandhausen: Drewes - Dumic (Ganda 65'), Diakhite, Zhirov - Diekmeier (c) (Ajdini 61'), Papela (Sicker 82'), El-Zein, Calhanoglu - Bachmann, Kinsombi (Ademi 83') - Evina (Pulkrab 60')
Unused subs: Rehnen, Höhn, Okoroji, Ritzmaier
Out: Esswein (suspended), Kutucu (suspended), Zenga (suspended)
Coach: Gerhard Kleppinger

Hamburg: Heuer Fernandes - Heyer, David, Schonlau (c), Muheim - Meffert, Kittel (Kittel 87'), Benes (Suhonen 19') - Königsdörffer (Bilbija 72'), Glatzel, Dompe
Unused subs: Raab, Mikelbrencis, Montero, Zumberi, Kisilowski, Heil
Out: Jatta (suspended), Katterbach (cruciate ligament), Megeed (torn ligament), Nemeth (ankle), Reis (suspended), Vuskovic (suspended)
Coach: Tim Walter

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