Former Bundesliga and European champions Hamburg have been out of the top flight since 2018 but have a decent chance of sealing a return this spring. A brace from Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer in a convincing win at promotion-chasing rivals Magdeburg on Matchday 26 has taken them one step closer.

Further twists and turns in the incredibly close Bundesliga 2 promotion race are to be expected between now and the end of the season, but leaders Hamburg can be very happy to have taken another step back towards the big time before the March international break. Königsdörffer stole the show in Magdeburg on Friday evening in the absence of lead striker Davie Selke due to suspension. 

The Ghana international striker set the tone for a devastating away display by dispatching a thumping effort from a tight angle in the eighth minute. He added a second after the break, while his cross from the left forced Marcus Mathisen to turn the ball into his own net as HSV sealed a convincing 3-0 win.

Watch: Hamburg took another step towards promotion in Magdeburg

Just as pleasing as Hamburg's sharp attack was their solid defensive display as they kept a clean sheet against the second-highest scoring side in Bundesliga 2. Head coach Merlin Polzin said: "We knew how hard it would be here against the Magdeburg lads. I am very pleased that we took three points from this difficult match."

Points, should Hamburg collect enough of them, mean prizes - and despite promotion rivals Cologne and Paderborn claiming wins on Matchday 26, the league leaders go into the final eight matches of the season with a narrow but signifcant three-point lead (and a 14-goal superior goal difference) over Paderborn in third - the promotion play-off position.

Despite Hamburg suffering a 2-0 defeat in Paderborn on Matchday 24, there is enough to suggest with other strong recent results - a 3-0 win at home to Kaiserslautern and 4-1 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf - that they can do enough in the season's final stages to reclaim top-flight status at last.

Watch: HSV were too good for promotion rivals Kaiserslautern

About the players

11

Ransford-Yeboah

Königsdörffer

Hamburger SV

9

Robert-Nesta

Glatzel

Hamburger SV

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The Bundesliga 2 leaders are set to gain a boost for the final promotion push in the coming months via returning star striker Robert Glatzel. The tall striker - who boasts an incredible 70 goals in 107 Bundesliga 2 appearances for Hamburg - marked his comeback as an 88th-minute substitute in Magdeburg after spending close to six months out with a tendon injury.

Glatzel said: "It was special for me to be there again. To be with the team in the dressing room and to celebrate with the fans after the match, and then hear the fans chant my name after I came on - that was very emotional."

With Königsdörffer in ferocious form, Selke top of the division's scoring charts with 17 strikes this term and Glatzel back to fitness, Hamburg have an embarassment of riches competing for attacking berths in their first fixture after the international break at home to Elversberg - who are in ninth but just eight points behind Hamburg in this incredibly tight Bundesliga 2 campaign.

About the clubs

Hamburger SV

Volksparkstadion