After seven years of pain, six-time German champion Hamburg SV finally beat ULM 6-1 in Germany's second division on Saturday.

Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer scored twice, Daniel Heuer Fernandes saved fines, and Hamburg moved to the top of the department, which was Elversberg's third-placed four-pointer with one round remaining.

"We're back!" said Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin.

"When you put in so much work and get rewards, you will never forget it," said Polzin, 34, who confirmed that his contract will be expanded to top divisions.

Hamburg was the last surviving member to play every season since its founding in 1963, earning the nickname "der Dino" until they were eventually relegated in 2018 after several closure shavings.

The club threatened to come back every season but suffered setbacks at critical moments.

Hamburg ranked fourth in the first three seasons in Division 2. Then they ranked third, just lost the third-place team in the playoffs against Germany's top. They finished fourth again last season.

Hamburg needs to win on Saturday to ensure the match was won in the top two of the automatic promotions. Thousands of fans greeted the team buses, cheers, flags and flares on their way to the stadium.

When Ulm defender Tom Gaal fired visitors in the seventh minute, they may be worried about the worst.

But Ludovit Reis answered three minutes later, then Fernandes saved the penalty, with the home team hitting twice before the interval between königsdörffer and Davie Selke.

The next goal confirmed it was Hamburg night, with Ulm goalkeeper Niclas Thiede fumbling with his own defender Philipp Strompf to deflect.

Königsdörffer finished second in No. 62 to sluggish suspicion for the last lingering of Hamburg fans, while Daniel Elfadli finished the rout.

When Ulm was relegated to the third division, thousands of Hamburg fans rushed into the court to celebrate their team's promotion.

The Associated Press information is used in this report.