Hamburg have earned promotion back to the Bundesliga to end a seven-year absence from the German top flight.Needing a win to confirm their return, the six-time German champions thrashed Ulm 6-1 at home on Saturday and fans engulfed the pitch at the Volksparkstadion at the final whistle to celebrate.

Six-time German champions Hamburg SV earned a triumphant promotion back to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence, with Saturday's 6-1 demolition of Ulm guaranteeing them a top two finish in the second division with a game left to play.

Fallen German giants Hamburg won automatic promotion to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence with a 6-1 home thumping of lowly Ulm on Saturday. The victory took Hamburg one point clear of Cologne atop the Bundesliga 2 table.