Round 37, May 16

All matches at the same time, as the Bundesliga had exciting matches in several venues on the penultimate day.

The huge match was in Stuttgart, as VfB and Hamburg met in a relegation battle. One of these traditionals is going down, so it was bound to be a bitter fight. VfB was clearly the dominant side, and although HSV grabbed an early lead, Stuttgart continued on and wrested control of the match. They could have won decisively, but wasted too many chances. HSV had some opportunities to save the match, but sucked when they needed to stand up and be counted. Both have prospects to stay up, but it will be difficult.

Paderborn was unlucky, as they were largely the better team at Schalke. They wasted some good chances for the win, but seemed to at least have a point, keeping chances open. But so close to their plan success, they blew it with a late own goal. Now they are probably down, barring a miracle. Meanwhile Schalke backs into the Euroliga in a disgraceful manner

Freiburg got a massive result to vastly improve their chances. The Breigauers beat down champions Bayern München, who continue their recent suckitude. Despite falling behind early, SCF never gave up and once again it was the legend, Nils Petersen, who saved the day. The ex-Bayern, Bremen-loanee came on as a sub in the 86th minute and 3 minutes later grabbed the winner.

Hannover also showed guts and got a huge result. teh 96ers won at Augsburg, who have been limping towards the finishline of Euroliga. They’re probably in given that Dortmund is probably guaranteed and Bremen lost. Hannover stopped their 16 match winless streak, and it couldn’t happen at a better time.

Hertha BSC was lame, and so was Frankfurt. The Berliners needed a win to ensure their safety. But they are way too unimaginative and boring. They probably are going to stay up, unfortunately

Gladbach had some nervous moments, but showed their superiority and cold-bloodedness to upend Bremen on the road.

Mainz easily handled Köln, both sides secured in midtable. The highpoint was perhaps the 87th minute, when Mainz captain Nikolce Noveski was subbed off. The Macedonian international has been with the club since 2004, and is retiring. He wept as the crowd cheered him off in his last home match.

Leverkusen one a routine match against Hoffenheim. The Aspirins were in control from the start, and the result really wasn’t in doubt.

Total attendance 370,914 (avg 41,123), 95.8% capacity, sellouts in Gelsenkirchen, Wolfsburg, Bremen, Freiburg, Stuttgart

Relegation prospects:

Let’s start with the easy one. Paderborn is basically down. Even if they win their match against Stuttgart, at 34 points they can at best hope for a playoff. And for that to happen, HSV needs to lose at home to Schalke. Doesn’t seem too likely, as Schalke has zero to play for and HSV needs a win themselves to have any chance. If HSV defeats Schalke, that gives them 35, but crappy goal difference probably means that playoff (for 2nd straight year!) is their best bet to survive if the Hannover/Freiburg match is not decisive. If Hannover/Freiburg is decisive and Stuttgart lose, then they could leapfrog. Stuttgart needs to win at Paderborn, and they stay up. Not impossible, as SCP is basically down. Anything else however, the best they get is a playoff.

Berlin needs a point for safety. Their best bet is that Hoffenheim isn’t motivated, and then even on the road they’re at least in control of their destiny. The 96ers and Freiburg save themselves with a win, but if they draw with each other, that is enough for both if Stuttgart fails to win.

 	
FC Schalke 04	     -   SC Paderborn 07	1:0 (0:0)   61,973 *

                    1:0  Hünemeier (88., own goal, Barnetta)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen  -   TSG Hoffenheim	        2:0 (1:0)   29,072

                    1:0  Calhanoglu (45. + 1, direct freekick)
                    2:0  Kießling (61., Calhanoglu)

VfL Wolfsburg	     -   Borussia Dortmund	2:1 (1:1)   30,000 *

                    1:0  D. Caligiuri (1., De Bruyne)
                    1:1  Aubameyang (11., penalty, Kampl)
                    2:1  Naldo (49.)

1. FSV Mainz 05	     -   1. FC Köln	        2:0 (0:0)   33,702

                    1:0  Koo (47., Okazaki)
                    2:0  Jairo (83., Bengtsson)


FC Augsburg	     -   Hannover 96	        1:2 (1:1)   29,899

                    0:1  Stindl (24., Briand)
                    1:1  Verhaegh (30., penalty, Baba)
                    1:2  Stindl (54., Briand)

Hertha BSC	     -   Eintracht Frankfurt	0:0 (0:0)   60,168

Werder Bremen	     -   Bor. Mönchengladbach	0:2 (0:0)   42,100 *

                    0:1  Raffael (53., M. Kruse)
                    0:2  Raffael (86., Hahn)

SC Freiburg	     -   Bayern München	        2:1 (1:1)   24,000 *

                    0:1  B. Schweinsteiger (13., Weiser)
                    1:1  Mehmedi (33., Klaus)
                    2:1  Petersen (89., Guedé)

VfB Stuttgart	     -   Hamburger SV	        2:1 (2:1)   60,000 *

                    0:1  Kacar (12., van der Vaart)
                    1:1  Gentner (27., Schwaab)
                    2:1  Harnik (35.)



1  Bayern München (M, P)	33   24  4  5 	  78:18  +60 	  76 
2  VfL Wolfsburg	  	33   20  8  5 	  70:36  +34 	  68 
3  Bor. Mönchengladbach	  	33   19  9  5 	  52:23  +29 	  66
4  Bayer 04 Leverkusen	  	33   17  10 6 	  61:35  +26 	  61
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5  FC Schalke 04	  	33   13  9  11 	  42:38  +4 	  48 
6  FC Augsburg	  	        33   14  4  15 	  40:42  -2 	  46
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7  Borussia Dortmund	  	33   12  7  14 	  44:40  +4 	  43 
8  Werder Bremen	  	33   11  10 12 	  48:62  -14 	  43 
9  TSG Hoffenheim	  	33   11  8  14 	  47:54  -7 	  41 
10  1. FSV Mainz 05	  	33    9  13 11 	  45:45   0 	  40 
11  Eintracht Frankfurt	  	33   10  10 13 	  54:61  -7 	  40 
12  1. FC Köln (N)	  	33    9  12 12 	  32:38  -6 	  39 
13  Hertha BSC Berlin	  	33    9  8  16 	  35:50  -15 	  35 
14  SC Freiburg	  	        33    7  13 13 	  35:45  -10 	  34 
15  Hannover 96	  	        33    8  10 15 	  38:55  -17 	  34
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16  VfB Stuttgart	  	33    8  9  16 	  40:59  -19 	  33
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17  Hamburger SV	  	33    8  8  17 	  23:50  -27 	  32 
18  SC Paderborn 07 (N)	  	33    7  10 16 	  30:63  -33 	  31

M = Meister, defending Champion
P = Pokalsieger, Cup winner
N = Neuling, just promoted