Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer struck twice in the first half as an impressive Hamburg side beat Cologne 2-1 in the opening match of the 2024/25 Bundesliga 2 season as the division celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Cologne 1-2 Hamburg
Goals: 0-1 Königsdörffer (6'), 0-2 Königsdörffer (35'), 1-2 Maina 78' (assist: Ljubicic)

An away win did not appear to be on the cards initially as the home side, cheered on by a capacity crowd at the RheinEnergieSTADION, went on the front foot from the off and created two good chances inside the first five minutes. It was Hamburg, however, who took the lead with the first opportunity of the game. Jean-Luc Dompé cut in from the left and sent a dipping effort goalwards from the edge of the box that goalkeeper Jonas Urbig could only spill it into the path of Königsdörffer, who made no mistake from close range. Dompé was a constant threat down the HSV left in the first half and he was involved in his side’s second goal too, playing in Adam Karabec to cross for Königsdörffer. His header hit the crossbar, but he was first to the rebound once again to prod in his second of the game. Cologne’s best chance arrived on the stroke of half-time, but Daniel Heuer Fernandes produced a stunning save to deny Tim Lemperle from close range.

Cologne were much improved after the interval as they sought a way back into the game and they created more – and better – chances than they did in the first half. Denis Huseinbašić had the best of them on 73 minutes as he arrived unmarked at the back post to connect with Jan Thielmann’s cross from the right, but he could only steer his header over the bar. However, they did eventually get the goal their improved play deserved in the closing stages when substitute Linton Maina thundered in a header from Dejan Ljubicic’s right-wing cross. That whipped the home crowd into a frenzy as they urged their side to get an equaliser, but HSV held on to take all three points against a direct promotion rival.

Match stats

• Königsdörffer's two goals mean he has already scored as many as he managed in the entire 2023/24 season.
• It was the second brace of his career, the first having come for Dresden in December 2021 against Karlsruhe. 
• The last competitive game between these teams was a round of 16 tie in the DFB cup, which Hamburg won on penalties.
• Hamburg's summer signing Selke played 36 times for Cologne in the Bundesliga, scoring 11 times across two seasons.

Teams

Cologne: Urbig - Thielmann, Hübers, Pauli (Heintz 87'), Paqarada - Martel - Ljubicic, Waldschmidt (Adamyan 57'), Huseinbašić (Obuz 87') - Lemperle (Dietz 76'), Downs (Maina 57')
Unused subs: Pentke, Carstensen, Wäschenbach, Olesen
Out: Finkgräfe (knee), Kainz (ankle)
Coach: Gerhard Struber

Hamburg: Heuer Fernandes - Jatta (Mikelbrencis 90'+1), Hadžikadunić, Schonlau, Muheim - Meffert, Reis (Heyer 83'), Elfadli - Karabec (Öztunali 65'), Königsdörffer (Selke 90'+1), Dompé (Baldé 65')
Unused subs: Mickel, Ramos, Katterbach, Pherai
Out: Raab (cold), Glatzel (tendon)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

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About the clubs

Hamburger SV

Volksparkstadion

1. FC Köln

RheinEnergieSTADION