Petrov hampers Hamburg hopes

By Manfred Christoph

Hamburger SV missed out on the chance to move into the Bundesliga's UEFA Cup qualification berths after losing 1-0 at VfL Wolfsburg.

European blow
Victory at the VfL Stadion would have moved Hamburg level on 53 points with Werder Bremen and Hertha BSC Berlin and into the top six - a guaranteed entry into next season’s UEFA Cup. However, Thomas Doll’s side’s European aspirations suffered a setback when Martin Petrov put Wolfsburg ahead with the game's only goal four minutes before the break.

Late show
Elsewhere, Hannover 96 guaranteed their Bundesliga status next season with victory against 1. FC Nürnberg, who remain six points clear of the relegation zone. Jirí Kaufman decided the game in Hannover’s favour three minutes from time when he reacted quickest after Nürnberg goalkeeper Raphael Schäfer had dropped Nebosja Krupnikovic’s initial shot.