57,000 for a friendly! HSV set to equal spectator record against FC Copenhagen

[p]One week before kick-off, the Rothosen had already sold more than 50,000 tickets sold, according to the Hamburger Abendblatt.[/p][p]Should the approx. 7,000 remaining tickets also be sold, the Volksparkstadion will be sold out for a friendly for the first time since the anniversary match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]FC Barcelona[/a] in 2012. Back then, 57,000 spectators poured into the arena. 4.000 FC Copenhagen spectators are expected to travel to the game. [/p][p]HSV's clash with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fc-copenhagen/hSPZwbEh/"]FC Copenhagen[/a] is so much more a friendly. But it also reflects the Rothosen's close ties with Denmark – a connection that stretches back decades.[/p][p]In total, 14 Danish players have represented HSV. Among foreign nations, only the Netherlands have had more players wear the famous red and white shirt (17).[/p][p]The four-day training camp in Helsingor at the beginning of July, which marked the start of preparations for the 2026/27 season, was yet another reminder of just how close those ties have become.[/p][embed guid="d6749613-932d-4a6f-bdb2-5043bc1b9818" url="https://x.com/FCKobenhavn/status/2105599251086716987" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"Hamburg and Copenhagen feel like neighbouring cities. I've always been a big fan of the Danish mentality, anyway. There's something special about the Danes – they have a great sense of humour and plenty of fire. I played alongside Thomas Gravesen and Stig Tofting, for example",[/b] says former German international and HSV legend Thomas Doll to the club website. [/p][p]Doll reminisces about when the two clubs faced each other in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup as HSV secured a late victory and progression thanks to a penalty converted by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-der-vaart-rafael/Us1mAoRL/"]Rafael van der Vaart[/a] in the second minute of stoppage time.[/p][p][b]"All it takes is the word ‘Copenhagen’ and I can picture the bus and the fans again, or feel the drama of the occasion. It all comes back to me very quickly. [/b]"[/p][embed guid="111e5f0a-8fe7-4717-aeab-5fc237a7e8c5" url="https://x.com/HSV/status/2104990515397906452" social-type="twitter" /][p]Given the geographical proximity and the long-standing history between the two countries, HSV have always enjoyed a strong following in Denmark. One particular highlight came in January 1975, when 2,000 Danish supporters travelled to the Hanseatic city for HSV's clash with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/b-monchengladbach/88HSzjDr/"]Borussia Mönchengladbach[/a].[/p][p]The two sets of supporters also created an impressive atmosphere during the friendly in the Danish capital last year. Around 8,000 HSV fans were among the 23,132 spectators inside Parken.[/p][p]Danish international striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gronbaek-albert/nejuxKZl/"]Albert Gronbaek[/a] will miss the game on Sunday as he sustained a muscle tear during the Nations League clash in Oslo against Norway. [/p][p]The two clubs will face each other at 15.30 CET on Sunday in the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.[/p]