Darmstadt (dpa/lhe) - After four competitive wins in a row, SV Darmstadt 98 challenges Hamburger SV full of self-confidence, but also with humility. The lilies appear on Friday (6.30 p.m. / Sky) in third place in the 2nd Bundesliga with their immediate pursuers in the Volksparkstadion. "HSV doesn't feel like a second division team. The club has a lot of power in Germany. For us at Darmstadt 98, it's a privilege to be able to play against them," said coach Torsten Lieberknecht on Wednesday.
"HSV belongs in the premier league. I think it's their turn to get promoted this year," added the 49-year-old. It is still unclear whether 18-year-old Swedish striker Oscar Vilhelmsson (shin injury) and striker Phillip Tietz (suspected broken nose) will be able to play.
"We're all really excited about the trip to Hamburg. You can tell that in the team," said captain Fabian Holland. Lieberknecht emphasized: "We want to go into the game against HSV with determination and the belief that we can go home with three points." Darmstadt recently delighted their fans in a 4-0 win over Hansa Rostock and have been unbeaten in six appearances in Hamburg.
