Bundesliga football

In Sunday's Bundesliga soccer, Europa League semi-finalists Hamburg were humbled 5-1 at Hoffenheim, with strikers Chinedu Obasi and Vedad Ibisevic both scoring twice for the hosts.

Hamburg, which drew 0-0 against English side Fulham last Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, conceded two goals at Hoffenheim in the first 11 minutes, both scored by Ibisevic.

Obasi then took advantage of poor defending, especially for his second goal, where was allowed to go one-on-one with Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost in the 73rd minute.

Hoffenheim struck again when midfielder Sejad Salihovic once again punished Hamburg's weak defense to make it 5-1 76 minutes in.

Midfielder Robert Tesche scored Hamburg's only goal in the 65th minute.

Adding to Hamburg's woes was a red card for substitute Tolgay Arslan late in the second half after he elbowed an opponent.

Surprise Freiburg win

In Sunday's other Bundesliga match, Freiburg beat defending German champions Wolfsburg 1-0 at home, putting paid to Wolfsburg's international ambitions next season by pushing them into place 8 on the league table.

And it was former Wolfsburg player Cedrick Makiadi who scored the winning goal 38 minutes in, meaning Freiburg is edging away from relegation into the second division.

Meanwhile, Kaiserslautern has been confirmed as the first club to go back into the top flight next season, after a four-year absence.

Germany captain Michael Ballack's former club lost 1-0 to Rostock on Friday, but third-placed Augsburg's 1-1 draw at FSV Frankfurt on Sunday means Kaiserslautern can now finish no lower than second.

Bayern Munich and Schalke currently head the Bundesliga league table with 64 points each.

ng/dpa/AFP
Editor: Nigel Tandy