Heavy defeat for Hamburg

Hamburger SV were defeated 5-1 by TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in preparation for their UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg against Fulham FC on Thursday.

HSV drew 0-0 draw with Fulham in this week's opening instalment at the Hamburg Arena – where the inaugural final will be held – and now head to London on the back of their third league defeat in five games. That sequence has left them seventh, eight points adrift of BV Borussia Dortmund and the final European berth. They were facing an uphill struggle from the off at 11th-placed Hoffenheim, who raced to a two-goal lead thanks to two Vedad Ibišević goals (2,11). Chinedu Obasi added a third on 31 minutes before doubling his tally 18 minutes from time.

Bruno Labbadia's men had pulled one back through Robert Tesche (65) but the hosts assured themselves of a four-goal winning margin courtesy of Sejad Salihović's effort 14 mintues from time. Hamburg's misery was compounded with the 89th-minute dismissal of Tolgay Arslan, a second-half substitute. In the day's other game, SC Freiburg moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 triumph over titleholders VfL Wolfsburg.