Hamburg happier of hopefuls

Hamburger SV are in shape for the start of their UEFA Cup campaign on Thursday after defeating their fellow European contenders 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday.

Contrasting fortunes
Whereas UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Hamburg had dropped just two points prior to this fixture, Mainz, in the UEFA Cup via the Fair Play draw, had lost all three Bundesliga games this season. They may have opened their scoring account for the campaign, but Mainz are hardly in the best shape ahead of their midweek trip to Sevilla FC

Hamburg triumph
Thomas Doll's side, however, will be full of confidence when FC København come to town. Swiss international Raphael Wicky's header brought them the lead on 42 minutes, and Mehdi Mahdavikia doubled the lead in the 58th minute.

Van der Vaart clincher
Petr Ruman did give Mainz's fans reason to be hopeful when he brought his side back into the game 12 minutes later, but within 60 seconds Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart embarked on a solo run, beat goalkeeper Dimo Wache, and hit the ball into the net for Hamburg clincher.

'Very confident'
Visiting captain Daniel van Buyten, whose team are now third, told uefa.com: "We showed again we have got big potential in our team and that we can always score goals against every side. I am confident about next Thursday."

Clinical performance
It was certainly a clinical performance: defending resolutely and attacking efficiently, doing just enough to win, reminiscent of how they won the Intertoto Cup final. "That was how we undid Valencia [CF] and we do not need to hide behind any team," said midfielder David Jarolim.

Positive thinking needed
So while Hamburg are in fine shape as their European bid steps up a gear, Mainz are struggling. Their visit to Spain risks plunging the team into further depression as much as offering them a chance to enjoy continental football. "We have to think positive," attacker Otto Addo declared. Striker Petr Ruman added: "Mentally we are very tired.”

Toughest test
Mainz coach Jürgen Klopp reflected the tentative mood. "We will not allow the match against Sevilla to become a problem for us afterwards," he said. The toughest test of their UEFA Cup debut could certainly have been better timed.