Mainz slip benefits Dortmund
Saturday, December 4, 2010
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Borussia Dortmund remain seven points clear in the Bundesliga and were confirmed as 'winter champions' despite not playing on Saturday, with 1. FSV 05 Mainz losing at Eintracht Frankfurt.
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Borussia Dortmund's seven-point Bundesliga lead was preserved without them playing on Saturday as second-placed 1. FSV 05 Mainz fell to a 2-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Eintracht were ahead on 35 minutes through Marco Russ, and although André Schürrle levelled from the spot soon after following a Halil Altıntop handball, the home side won it when Fanis Gekas converted a penalty of their own six minutes from time. The result confirms that Dortmund, who visit 1. FC Nürnberg on Sunday, will top the table over the winter break, which begins in a fortnight.
Hannover 96 are up to third, two points behind Mainz, after a 2-1 victory at bottom team VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, who had led through Michael Bradley. Substitute Mike Hanke equalised with 17 minutes left and Didier Ya Konan won it two minutes later. Bayer 04 Leverkusen can reclaim third by defeating 1. FC Köln on Sunday.
SC Freiburg are into the top five following a 1-0 defeat of Hamburger SV as FC Bayern München lost 2-0 at FC Schalke 04 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were held 1-1 at lowly VfB Stuttgart. That result leaves Schalke four points clear of third-bottom Stuttgart and titleholders Bayern 14 points off the lead. SV Werder Bremen drew 0-0 with VfL Wolfsburg.
