HSV are all but qualified for the knock out phase of the UEFA Cup after an impressive 3:1 first leg away win over Swiss Champions FC Zurich. Despite the visitors being the better side in the opening forty five minutes, there was generally not much signs of what was coming in the second half, as Zurich have stood well in defence, while the Germans have lost Dutch star Van der Vaart on 32 minutes due to an injury. Jarolim broken the deadlock four minutes into the second half and galvanized the visitors, who have demonstrated total dominance and took a third goal lead, with Olic and Trowchowski provided a goal. Hassli scored an 88th minute goal for Zurich, but his goal was surely nothing but a consolation for the Swiss champions, who now have only theoretical chances of reaching the group stage.

Zurich have welcomed back Nigerian Tico and Tunisian Chikhaoui who have returned from the African Cup of Nations, and were introduced straight in the lineup, with Chikhaoui being fielded as a typical striker for the first time this season, forming an attacking partnership with Hassli, who got a somewhat surprising start at the expense of Alphonse and Tahirovic. However, the Tunisian star did a lot of running back to the midfield, as his team mates have struggled to provide him and his partner with useful goals. On the other side, the Germans have opted for their usual formation with one man up front, but it was Croatian Olic to start on his own up front, as manager Stevens decided to use Guerrero, originally considered a favorite to start up front, in his trademark joker role. The Peruvian did enter the game on 32 minutes, as Van der Vaart had to be taken off after a nasty challenge by Rochat.

The home side have entered the match with a very closed and defensive approach, but have almost conceded an early screamer after one of their rare attacks - on five minutes, Chikhaoui was dispossessed off the ball, and it took a superb stretch by Leoni to keep out Van der Vaart's clever lob from near the half line. HSV were in control, but have struggled to find clear openings, except for a sharp pass by Jarolim which was a few inches too long for Olic. Trochowski gave hints of what was coming by forcing the home keeper into two saves late in the first half and, four minutes into the second, HSV were deservedly up, as a superb team move allowed Jarolim to shoot home from 14 meters. The Germans had no intentions of stopping their siege, and Benjamin came close to making it to before Olic did id on 67 minutes, after a great assist by Guerrero. And the match was all but over on 77 minutes, when Trochowski left Leoni without a chance with his accurate free kick. Zurich had little to offer in response but did manage a goal from one of their rare decent attempts, as Hassli's shot took deflections off the shoulder of away keeper Rost and the post to give some consolation to the home fans.

It was a superb performance by HSV, who have not underestimated their opponents and are taking home a comfortable advantage, allowing themselves to concentrate on the domestic affairs. On the other side, it wouldn't be very clever to make judgements regarding Zurich based on this result, as there is not much Swiss teams can do when they face fully motivated opponents of HSV's caliber.