Tradition offers no protection against a fall from grace. HSV has experienced this firsthand in recent years. Why this match is special for BVB CEO Cramer.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer has highlighted the special significance of the match against the historic North German club Hamburger SV. “In terms of demand, this match is the second-biggest game after the one against Bayern,” the spokesperson for BVB’s management told the “Hamburger Abendblatt” ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga match (6:30 p.m./Sky).

At the same time, he sees HSV—which spent seven years in the second division and was only promoted last summer—as “a cautionary tale that tradition and stature do not protect you from things quickly taking an undesirable turn. You really should always be aware of the fine line you’re walking.”

Cramer worked for a marketing firm at the start of the millennium and was responsible for HSV. “HSV is certainly a big club, and it’s no coincidence that in recent years we’ve repeatedly talked about how good and important it is to have clubs like HSV, like Cologne, and ultimately Schalke in the Bundesliga.”

In the first half of the season, the two teams drew 1-1 at the Volksparkstadion after a late goal in stoppage time by HSV’s Ransford Königdörffer. Dortmund is second in the standings, while HSV is eleventh.