MAINZ, Germany, 30 July 2003 — Hamburg SV warmed up for the Bundesliga campaign kicking off this weekend by beating Borussia Dortmund 4-2 in the German League Cup final on Monday.
Three goals in the first 17 minutes set up Hamburg for their first triumph in the lucrative preseason tournament created seven years ago.
The northerners, who had beaten German champions Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the six-team event, take 1.28 million euros ($1.47 million) in prize money - good news for a club struggling with heavy debts and still looking for a shirt sponsor.
Dortmund, who lost their German title to Bayern Munich last season, finishing third, had two players sent off in extra time.
Substitute Otto Addo received his marching orders for a dangerous tackle and Germany midfielder Sebastian Kehl followed him off for pushing the referee.
“We played rather well for 80 minutes but in the first 20 minutes we were just awful,” said Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer.
His Hamburg counterpart Kurt Jara was pleased but did not get carried away.
“We had a fantastic start but after that we had a lot of problems,” he said. “We should have played more calmly after leading 3-0. We made life difficult for ourselves.”
Defender and captain Nico-Jan Hoogma showed Hamburg the way with a headed goal from close range on two minutes.
Argentine midfielder Rodolfo Cardoso doubled the advantage with a superb free kick in the 12th minute and Japan striker Naohiro Takahara made it 3-0 five minutes later. Takahara was helped by a blunder from Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who replaces Jens Lehmann now with Arsenal, and looked nervous throughout the game. Dortmund reduced the arrears with a penalty from Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso in the 24th minute.
Czech striker Jan Koller kept their hopes alive in the 61st minute but Hamburg midfielder Stefan Beinlich, who has joined from Hertha Berlin, killed the tie from a free kick seven minutes later. Dortmund visit Schalke 04 in their first Bundesliga match on Saturday while Hamburg, who finished fourth last season, will play at home against Hanover 96.
