The Hertha players fall to the floor in exhaustion and delight! The capital club have reversed a first-leg deficit to triumph 2-1 on aggregate thanks to goals from Boyata and Plattenhardt. What drama and what disappointment for HSV, who miss out on their place in the top flight in dramatic circumstances.

There will be a total of six added minutes to play. The noise at the Volksparkstadion rises a notch as the home fans cheer their team forward.

Hamburg's promotion hopes hang in the balance but the Red Shorts are making a fight of it as we enter the final stage of this game. Will Hertha hold on?

Lest we forget, the away goals rule no longer counts and so were HSV to score, we would be heading for extra time.

Hertha get the ball rolling in the second half under the lights at the Volksparkstadion.

Boyata's early header has Hertha ahead on the night as the teams go in at half time following an intense first-half battle. As it stands, we're level at 1-1 on aggregate.

Hertha's Tousart body checks Muheim of HSV and the 59,000 capacity crowd get to their feet and roar their disapproval. The intensity of this encounter is palpable.

Here. We. Go. What an atmosphere at the Volksparkstadion! We're in for a big night of drama.

The tension is rising, but HSV coach Tim Walter looks focused out there as we edge towards kick-off. Here's what the home tactician had to say in the build-up to this one: "The boys are bursting with energy, courage, conviction and anticipation. It's all about us and our game, because we want to make ourselves, our fans and the whole city happy."

Hamburg coach, Tim Walter, goes with the same line-up to that which began the first-leg triumph in the German capital. Hertha's Kevin-Prince Boateng, meanwhile, is in his side's starting XI having remained on the bench in the first leg. Oliver Christensen continues in goal for Felix Magath's team, with Marcel Lotka out with concussion. Stevan Jovetic and Ishak Belfodil will look to supply the Old Lady's goal threat.

Körber, Bjorkan, Stark, Mittelstädt, Eitschberger, Darida, Richter, Maolida, Wollschläger.

Christensen – Pekarik, Boyata (c), Kempf, Plattenhardt – Tousart, Ascacibar – Serdar, Boateng – Belfodil, Jovetic.

Mickel, Gyamerah, Vagnoman, David, Kinsombi, Chakvetadze, Alidou, Kaufmann, Wintzheimer.

Heuer Fernandes – Heyer, Vuskovic, Schonlau (c), Muheim – Reis, Meffert, Rohr – Jatta, Glatzel, Kittel.

Will we be hearing the famous Hertha chant from the visiting fans following tonight's final whistle? A good omen for Die Alte Dame is that they have won eight of the teams' previous 10 meetings in the Bundesliga.

Ok, so, let's remind ourselves that it was Ludovit Reis who scored for HSV in the first leg at the Olympiastadion on Thursday. But if you think tonight's hosts are feeling pleased with themselves having edged out Hertha in the capital, here's midfielder Jonas Meffert to set you straight: “You don’t sit in the changing room celebrating at half-time”. Indeed.

Willkommen one and all to this evening's Bundesliga relegation/promotion play-off between two giants of German football. This tie is so finely balanced, with hosts Hamburg holding a slender 1-0 lead over Hertha Berlin, that you won't want to miss a moment. So stay right where you are ...