Hamburg ease to second success

Lauth decisive
The Bundesliga club built on their opening success at PFC CSKA Sofia at the AOL Arena tonight thanks to goals from Rafael van der Vaart and Benjamin Lauth. The Dutchman, who also scored the only goal in Bulgaria, struck first in the 21st minute, with forward Lauth wrapping up the points in the 66th.

Basso busy
Sergej Barbarez went close for the home side as early as the third minute when his close-range shot flew just wide. Van der Vaart's free-kick nine minutes later found Thimothée Atouba who saw his effort saved by Viking goalkeeper Anthony Basso before Daniel Van Buyten tried his luck, only to be denied again by Basso.

Opening goal
A goal seemed only a matter of time and Van der Vaart finally broke the deadlock after Piotr Trochowski found him well placed in the centre of the area, making no mistake as he powered the ball in from 12 metres. Viking's only real chance of the half came in the 39th minute when Allan Gaarde shot straight into the arms of Hamburg's Stefan Wächter.

Hamburg attack
Lauth threatened in the opening minute of the second half with a shot from 18 metres which was saved by Basso. The busy goalkeeper was in action again minutes later, saving from Barbarez after fine work from Van der Vaart. The Dutch youngster, Trochowski and substitute Alexander Laas all then peppered the Viking goal as the visitors struggled to make an attacking impression of their own.

Crucial second
The second goal arrived shortly after the hour when a cross by Mehdi Mahdavikia found Lauth neatly placed and he made no mistake with a header from the centre of the penalty area. Øyvind Svenning tried in vain for Viking in the 76th minute but was denied by Wächter as Hamburg sealed the three points.