The Supercup. Hamburger SV vs Aberdeen. It was played in November and December of 1983, with a whole month between the two legs. If it was May, everybody would be certain in the victory of the Germans – but now it was different story. As usual, the Supercup itself attracted little interest – it was not just because it was at the end of the season: it was different season altogether. People were focused on the last qualification matches for the European Championship in 1984. On club level, there was the current domestic championships to worry about. Internationally – the new issue of the European cups and in them West German did not fair well at all. It looked like West German football was losing its edge and particularly Hamburger SV seemingly reached its peak and inevitable decline was beginning. On the other hand, Aberdeen, spurred by its European success was getting stronger and better. They also managed to keep the squad intact, including Alex Ferguson and Gordon Strachan. Hamburger SV was still coached by Happel, but there were changes – minor ones, on the surface, but since the team was playing no better, but worse, apparently important in the negative sense. Horst Hrubesch was out, playing now for Standard (Liege). His transfer was no secret back in May, he was getting quite old too, it did not look like big deal… now it looked the opposite. Kaltz was no longer the same and fragile Bastrup was seemingly permanently injured. The new recruits were not particularly beneficial and suddenly Hamburger SV appeared a rather ordinary squad, having problems in the attacking line. Netzer, HSV manager, was ready to throw the towel – before the second leg with Aberdeen he declared that if HSV loses again, he will quit. Alex Ferguson, cautious as before, urged that Germans are Germans – after losing so much this fall, they had their last chance to win and will be particularly dangerous. Well, he had still in mind reality – even when getting better, Aberdeen did not have the same class of players HSV had, even when weakened. Yes, the inferiority complex was seemingly broken down in the spring, but now there was something else: Aberdeen could be overconfident, arrogant and cocky – not a good idea against Germans.
However, the opening leg in Hamburg ended scoreless.
1st Leg, Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 22 Nov 1983, att n/a
Hamburger SV (0) 0 Aberdeen (0) 0
Hamburger SV: Stein, Jakobs, Hieronymus, Wehmeyer, Groh, Schröder, Hartwig (Wuttke 46),
Magath, Rolff, Schatzschneider, von Heesen
Aberdeen: Leighton, Cooper, Rougvie, Simpson, McLeish, Miller, Strachan, Hewitt,
McGhee, Bell, Weir
Referee: Christov (Czechoslovakia)
The devil was not all that bad, but still was the devil… Smiling… There was no much to smile about after the referee started the second leg. Aberdeen was better, they pushed forward from the first moment and never stopped.
Aberdeen in control most of the time, Hamburger SV had mostly defending to do,
and in the second half was down on its knees twice – Aberdeen scored 2 unanswered goals. And it was absolutely fair – they were the better team, it would have been a travesty if Hamburger SV managed even a tie. As it was, though, HSV was rather toothless and was outplayed.
Aberdeen celebrated its goals and won the Supercup.
2nd Leg, Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, 20 Dec 1983, att n/a
Aberdeen (0) 2 Hamburger SV (0) 0
47′ 1-0 A: Simpson
65′ 2-0 A: McGhee
Aberdeen won 2-0 on aggregate
Aberdeen: Leighton, McKimmie, Simpson, McLeish, Miller, McMaster, Strachan, Hewitt
(Black 65), McGhee, Bell, Weir
Hamburger SV: Stein, Kaltz (Hansen 68), Jakobs, Hieronymus, Wehmeyer, Groh, Schröder,
Hartwig, Magath, Rolff, Schatzschneider (Wuttke 41)
Referee: Brummeier (Austria)
Kings of Europe! As usual, the Supercup matters little and hardly ever inspire some analytic observations, but this time was impossible to brush over the whole affair with often made excuses: the losing team did not care for this trophy, too tired, too busy, already in holiday mood – Hamburger SV needed victory if only to restore confidence. And they were outplayed. Aberdeen was in great from, looked stronger than half a year ago, even when handling multiple tasks at the moment – championship, Scottish cups, European tournament, plus providing players for the national team of Scotland. It was important victory for the club – winning it, asserted the place of Aberdeen among the best at the moment. Best in Europe – not a laughing matter in Scotland. As for the team, it was the same as in the spring, so it will redundant to evaluate strength and weaknesses – they were the same, the biggest problem: keeping players and coach with the club. But much was achieved – ‘France Football’ voted Aberdeen the best European club if the year. As for local pride, Aberdeen was not only at par with Celtic and Glasgow Rangers now, but ahead of them – Celtic had one European Champions Cup and Rangers – one Cup Winners Cup. Aberdeen had two – Cup Winners Cup and Supercup.