Hamburger SV took advantage of the moment and will at least go from the relegation place to the last day of the second Bundesliga.

Tim Walter's team defeated Hannover 96 2-1 (2-1) on Saturday and initially even gained a direct promotion spot.

Robert Glatzel (13th minute/20th) with his season goals number 20 and 21 shot the "Red Pants" back into the promotion zone for the first time since the 23rd matchday.

Sebastian Kerk (22nd) scored for Hannover, for which it was no longer a question of securing relegation.

With their own victory and the defeat of Darmstadt 98 on Friday at Fortuna Düsseldorf, HSV at least has the achievement of the relegation in their own hands.

Even direct ascent is still possible.

HSV is currently second thanks to the significantly better goal difference compared to Darmstadt and Werder Bremen.

The northern rival is challenged on Sunday (1.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the second Bundesliga and on Sky) at the relegated Erzgebirge Aue and can pass again.

With the self-confidence of three wins in a row, HSV, which was written off a few weeks ago, acted with determination.

But 96 played boldly and cleverly used their space against the very offensive hosts.

Driven by 57,000 fans in the Volkspark, HSV attacked one after the other in the first half hour.

Less than 30 seconds after a big chance for 96 center forward Hendrik Weydandt (12th), Hamburg came forward via Bakery Jatta on the right wing, his precise cross landed on striker Glatzel, who pushed in.

The 2-0 was almost a copy of the opening goal, again Jatta found Glatzel in the middle, who let the ball drip from his chest over the line.

In this second division game with open visors on both sides, HSV wanted to calm things down after the break.

Ludovit Reis (56') shot just over the bar, Glatzel aimed just wide of the left post (71'), Faride Alidou (88') missed the empty goal.

The nerves of the Hamburgers fluttered increasingly, Hanover remained dangerous until the end.

On the last day of the game, HSV will go to Hansa Rostock, who has already been saved.

Heidenheim wins, Ingolstadt says goodbye

1. FC Heidenheim has ended its negative series.

Coach Frank Schmidt's team deservedly won 2-0 (0-0) at Jahn Regensburg.

Heidenheim had recently gone four times without a win (three defeats) and had thus lost all chances of promotion.

Patrick Mainka (51st) and Tobias Mohr (81st) scored for the guests.

They sealed Regensburg's sixth game without a win in a row.

But for Jahn, as for Heidenheim, it was no longer about anything.

He doesn't expect "any football treats," said Jahn coach Mersad Selimbegovic before the game.

And he was right.

The SSV presented itself largely harmless.

Heidenheim was a bit more active and was unlucky before the break when Robert Leipertz (4th) and Jonas Föhrenbach (20th) hit the post twice.

FC Ingolstadt said goodbye to their supporters with a draw in the last home game before relegation to the third division.

The promoted duel with Hansa Rostock, which had few highlights, ended 0-0 on Saturday.

In the game in front of 6371 spectators in Ingolstadt on the penultimate day of the season there were few good scenes in the penalty area.

Haris Duljevic (35th/45th minute) twice sniffed the lead for the guests, who had rotated six new players into the starting XI.

FCI captain Stefan Kutschke missed the lead for the tail light with a header in added time in the first half.

In the game's greatest opportunity, his teammate Marcel Gaus failed after the break at Hansa keeper Markus Kolke (55th).

The game in the second Bundesliga was all about farewells for Upper Bavaria.

Before kick-off, the club thanked 14 players and three coaches who are leaving the club.

Rostock is looking forward to another year in the second division after staying up in the league.