Extraordinary scenes as Hamburg fans celebrate promotion - only to miss out moments later

Take a break from the Premier League for a moment, if you can, because there have been some extraordinary scenes over in Germany.

Hamburg supporters stormed the pitch after their side beat Sandhausen 1-0, thinking they had been promoted to the Bundesliga.

But whilst the celebrations were underway on the pitch, Heidenheim, who were just two points behind Hamburg in the table, were still playing against Regensburg.

At 2-1 down deep into stoppage time, Heidenheim needed two goals to secure promotion, with Hamburg seemingly home and dry.

However, a stoppage time equaliser in the 93rd minute started one of football's most remarkable comebacks, before Tim Kleindienst completed mission impossible in the 99th minute, meaning Heidenheim were promoted.

Chaos ensued among the Hamburg fans as the penny dropped, with celebrations soon turning into anguish as supporters realised they weren't promoted after all.

Because of the unique way the German tiers are formulated, Hamburg will still have the chance to be promoted in a play-off match against the 16th-placed side in the Bundesliga, Stuttgart.

Speaking after the drama, Hamburg head coach Tim Walter reflected on the victory, which will no doubt feel like a defeat now.

"We did our job today, but so did Heidenheim," he said. "Accordingly, we congratulate you on your promotion.

"Of course we're disappointed, but we're well prepared for the [play-off]. We will put a powerful squad on the field and want to have the upper hand this year,” he added.

Taking to Twitter, fans had their say on proceedings.

One user said: "Doesn’t get any more sickening than that."

While another joked: "Stuttgart, I need you to do the funniest thing ever in the playoff please I beg you!"

A third added: "Football heritage. God I love German football."

A fourth joked: "This is worse than the Borussia Dortmund bottle job."

Topics: Football, Bundesliga

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno