Defender Markus Schuler left Hannover 96 to the promoted Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld.

Hannover's forward Daniel Stendel renewed his contract until 2006.
Hannover's defender Per Mertesacker renewed his contract until 2008.
Hannover's defender Dariusz Zuraw renewed his contract until 2006.

The two young Hannover 96 talents Gürman Agac and Sezai Demircán signed their contracts at the amateurs (Agac 2 years and Demircán 3 years).

Thomas Brdaric, the Hannover 96 forward, has been selected to represent Germany for Euro 2004. Rudi Völler nominated him due to his good performance throughout the season for 96. Last year, the former 96-striker Fredi Bobic, now playing at Berlin, made his comeback with the German Nats. Thomas Brdaric, who has played just once for the national team, in 2002 against the USA, scored 12 times this season for "The Reds". The Euro 2004 tournament is from the June 12th to July 04th. Congratulations to Thomas Brdaric!!!

Germany's roster at the Euro 2004 in Portugal:

Goal: Oliver Kahn (Bayern München), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal London), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart)

Defense: Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC), Christian Wörns (Borussia Dortmund), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen), Andreas Hinkel, Philipp Lahm (both VfB Stuttgart), Frank Baumann (Werder Bremen)

Midfield: Dietmar Hamann (FC Liverpool), Michael Ballack, Jens Jeremies (both Bayern München), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen) Torsten Frings, Sebastian Kehl (beide Borussia Dortmund), Paul Freier (VfL Bochum) Fabian Ernst (Werder Bremen), Christian Rahn (Hamburger SV)

Offense: Kevin Kuranyi (VfB Stuttgart), Miroslav Klose (1. FC Kaiserslautern), Fredi Bobic (Hertha BSC), Thomas Brdaric (Hannover 96)

Photo by Stefan Zwing / Oliver Vosshage

Ilja Kaenzig (31 years) will be from the 1st July 2004 the new manager at 96. He worked in the last 6 years at Bayer 04 Leverkusen (and earlier at Grasshoppers Zürich). Welcome to "The Reds".

Hannover has lost their last season game 1:3 against Bochum. While the former Bochum player Thomas Christiansen managed to equalize the game at 1:1, Hannover surrendered two more goals and have ended the season on the 14th in the standings. Bochum qualified for UEFA Cup next season, thanks to Dortmund one all draw with Kaiserslautern.



Hannover played without their best forward, Thomas Brdaric who had scored 12 times on the year (muscle spasms) so the former Bochum striker Thomas Christiansen found himself in the starting lineup. The Americans, Steve Cherundolo and Clint Mathis, were both sent on vacation this week, because they will be called up for US National team duty in Germany's offseason. Abel Xavier (defense) and Silvio Schröter (offense) played instead. For Bochum Tapalovic was subbed for Stevic.

Hannover dominated the first 25 minutes of the game and saw their first chance in the 5th minute, when Kleber had a nice combo with Christiansen setting up for Jaime inside the box. But the Spaniard failed by missing the goal near the left post. Bochum's first chance came in the 24th from Hashemian 4 meters in front of the goal. Hashemian tried a header, but Hannover's goalkeeper made a great save.

But two minutes later, Bochum went ahead with a header from Peter Madsen setup by Hashemian who had crossed the ball in from the right wing to the box. Madsen scored between the two defenders Xavier and Mertesacker (26th). Bochum continued to dominate the game, but didn't have any more chances.

Hannover's Christiansen brought the score even at 1:1 in the 41st . Abel Xavier sent a long pass from the right wing to the right forward Schröter (playing for Mathis), who quite artistically set Christiansen up, whose volley from 11 meters went right under the cross bar.

In the second half, Hannover's keeper Marc Ziegler had to be subbed out for Daniel Haas, who thus made his Reds' debut, because of injury. He did great by keeping the score knotted at one in the 52nd after Madsen's volley shot, and the following chances from Bochum (62nd by Hashemian, 65th by Zdebels, 73rd by Madsen).

But in the 76th Bochum went back ahead with a volley shot from 20 meters by Slawo Freier, who took a deflected ball from his teammate Madsen. In the last minutes Hannover subbed the two forwards; Daniel Stendel, and Fabian Montabell who was making his debut.

96 had their last chance in the 84th on a free-kick from Jaime, but Bochum's goalkkeeper saved it. In the 87th Bochum's Frank Fahrenhorst scored by a header to bring the final score to 3:1 off of a corner from Stevic.

Hannover ended their second Bundesliga season in a row on the 14th in the standings. Silvio Schröter was playing well on the right position. Daniel Haas had a nice debut, although he surrendered two. Bochum, who were promoted two years ago along with Hannover into the Bundesliga qualified for UEFA Cup next season and deserve congratulations.


STATS

Lineups
VfL Bochum: van Dujnhoven - Colding, Kalla, Fahrenhorst, Bönig - Tapalovic (72. Buckley), Zdebel, Wosz - Freier (79. Stevic), Madsen, Hashemian (86. Vriesde)
Hannover 96: Ziegler (46. Haas) - Xavier (79. Stendel), Mertesacker, Zuraw, Kleber - de Guzman, Lala (79. Montabell), Schröter, Jaime, Idrissou - Christiansen

Goals: 1:0 Madsen (26.), 1:1 Christiansen (41.), 2:1 Freier (76.), 3:1 Fahrenhorst (87.)
Yellow cards: none
Referee: Dr. Xaver Wack
Spectators: 32.645 (sold out)

Congratulations to Ewald Lienen and his team! The Reds needed only one point against Wolfsburg to avoid relegation, because 1860 München drew with Hertha BSC Berlin 1:1 and the two clubs Kaiserslautern and Gladbach have lost their games. The two places in relegation will be fought between Kaiserslautern, Frankfurt and 1860 München.

Hannover came out with their best team. Steven Cherundolo was back in the starting lineup after his suspension (yellow-red) while Wolfsburg were missing their captain, Schnoor (suspendend by yellow-red), as well as Rytter and Präger who were out with injuries.

Hannover 96 dominated the first half and saw their first chance in the 5th minute, when Mo' Idrissou crossed the ball from the left wing to the US-striker Clint Mathis. He tried a header, but failed missing the goal near the right post.

In the 16th Thomas Brdaric had a big chance to put Hannover in front. Jaime, who once again did very well in the playmaker role, crossed a free-kick from the right into the box. Brdaric got his head on the ball, but it was saved by Wolfsburg's goalkeeper Simon Jentzsch.

The only chance from Wolfsburg came from D'Alessandro in the 19th with a nice shot from 19 meters, but he missed the goal near the right post. For the rest of the half it was all Hannover. In the 27th, set up by Brdaric, Christoph Dabrowski shot from 17 meters on goal (lower left), but Jentzsch made another great save.

Hannover had many chances; Mo Idrissiou in the 34th, and in the 42nd the Canadian Julian de Guzman. After a great combo between Brdaric and Mathis, the Canadian had a nice shot on goal, but it was cleared by Wolfsburg's Maik Franz.

In the second half, 96's agressiveness was gone while Wolfsburg seemed to be just as satisfied with a draw. In the 52nd Brdaric again showed his qualities as a good forward: following a pass from Mathis, he beat Jentzsch in the goalmouth (on the right position) and crossed the ball to Jaime in front of the goal only to have Wolfsburg's Sarpei clear it out.

In the 63rd Wolfsburg had their second chance in the game. After a giveaway by De Guzman, D´Alessandro crossed from the left into the goalmouth and Menseguez's volley from 5 meters went over the bar . The last chance came from Mathis in the 75th with a long volley shot.

The final minutes were rather uneventful, but the spectators began yelling when they heard that Berlin had equalized against 1860 Munich, and again a few minutes later when 1860 couldn't convert on a penalty kick.

The game finally ended 0:0, and thanks to the results from the other competitors, like 1860, Frankfurt, and Kaiserslautern, Hannover has avoided relegation (12th in the standings).

Next year will mark the third straight season for 96 in the Bundesliga. Next weekend the reds meet Bochum for their last regular season game.


STATS

Lineups
Hannover 96: Ziegler - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Kleber - de Guzman, Dabrowski, Mathis (87. Stendel), Jaime (71. Schröter), Idrissou - Brdaric (87. Christiansen)
VfL Wolfsburg: Jentzsch - Sarpei, Franz, Biliskov (72. Quattrocchi), Weiser - Menseguez (82. Topic), Karhan, D´Alessandro, Petrov - Klimowicz (86. Baiano)

Goals: none
Yellow cards: - / Biliskov
Referee: Herbert Fandel
Spectators: 27.537 (sold out)

Hannover 96 - VfL Wolfsburg
12:4 shots at the goal
8:0 corner-kicks
14:8 crosses
11:15 fouls
3:1 offsides
50%:50% contacts with the ball
53%:47% +challenges

Most contacts with the ball:
S. Cherundolo (87) - P. Thiam (87)

Rostock has won 3:0 against 1860 Munich. Now Hannover needs probably only one point in the next two matches to avoid relegation. In the second Sunday match Bochum has won 3:0 against Freiburg.

Hannover were well deserved victors 3:0 against Frankfurt on Saturday. The matchwinner was Thomas Brdaric, who scored two times (42nd, 75th). Mo Idrissou scored the 3rd goal in the 89th. Hannover now has 36 points, though they remain at 13th place in the standings because all other competitors have won. Bremen has finally secured the Bundesliga championship, with a win against Bayern Munich 3:1. Congratulations to Bremen!

Hannover's captain Altin Lala was missing from the team, due to his bad physical situation and wasn't able to perform at the level 96 needed in their relegation fight. Lienen played offensive tacticly using a compact midfield: Jaime, Mathis and Idrissou were back among the starting 11. For Frankfurt, the goalkeeper Markus Pröll played instead of the injured Oka Nikolov.

From the beginning, the homeside began to threaten. After six minutes the first chance came from the American Clint Mathis who took a perfect pass from the Spaniard Jaime. Six meters from the goal, Mathis was unable get the ball under control. In the 13th Mathis delivered a perfect pass to Jaime who shot from a tight angle (six meters to the right) on goal, but Pröll did well to clear it . The Nikolov substitute showed, that he was the best man in Frankfurt's team in the 32nd, when he caught a 15 meter shot from Brdaric (after a nice give and go by Dabrowski)

Even the defenders from 96 had a few chances, like Schröter who failed in the 36th, because he was finally saved by Schur. In the 38th the first shot on goal by Frankfurt's Skela was saved by Hannover's goalkeeper Ziegler.

In the 42nd Hannover went ahead thanks to Thomas Brdaric: Clint Mathis made a throw-in near the midfield-line to Idrissou who fought successfully down the right wing to make a brilliant cross into the goalmouth for Brdaric, who put it home.

Frankfurt began the second half with two new offensive players (Frommer and Cha) while Hannover 96 started the second half in the same dominant mood which they'd shown in the first 45 minutes. Idrissou shot from 10 meters (half left position) over the bar, after a nice pass from Jaime in the 48th. In the 50th Frankfurt had a chance to equalize: After a corner kick from the right, Frankfurt's Chris headed it towards the goal, but the Canadian Julian de Guzman cleared the ball off the line with his own head.

The homeside dominated the game and had many chances like in the 56th, when Brdaric headed in from 12 meters, set up by Jaime, but Pröll deflected the ball with his fingers to the right post.

There were chances for Hannover in every minute. In the 69th Idrissou failed on a header, and later set Clint Mathis up for a sure goal. Idrissou crossed a ball in from the left wing to Mathis who only had to tap the ball into the net, but again Pröll did clear it (73rd).

Two minutes later a counter attack by Hannover set up by Jaime, who made a brilliant pass from just outside his own box into Frankfurt's half to Brdaric (Frankfrut did complain, but it was no offside), who ran in front of the goal and scored through Pröll's legs for his 12th of the season to bring the tally to 2:0 (75th).

In the 81st Clint Mathis was again stymied by Pröll, striking a powerful shot from the right side at 10 meters. The 3rd goal in this game came from Idrissou set up from the subbed German striker Daniel Stendel. Idrissou netted from 14 meters into the upper right (deflected by Frankfurt's Bindewald) to finalize the result 3:0).

Hannover's well deserved win brings them to 36 points and 13th in the standings. Ewald Lienen did well playing with Jaime, Mathis and Idrissou. Mathis and Jaime did especially complement each other very well, and Idrissou turned in a very good performance as well. The other competitors in the relegation fight won too, meaning that these three points were very important (the last relegation threatened team, 1860 Munich, plays the Sunday game). Next weekend against Wolfsburg, Hannover can take the final step in avoiding relegation as the homeside while Frankfurt and Cologne are quite possibly two of the three going down at the end the season.

STATS

Lineups
Hannover 96: Ziegler - Schröter, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Kleber (90.Schuler) - de Guzman, Dabrowski, Jaime (82. Stendel), Mathis, Idrissou - Brdaric (84. Christiansen)
Eintracht Frankfurt: Pröll - Günther (46. Cha), Hertzsch, Chris, Bürger (46. Frommer) - Schur, Preuß,Skela, Kreuz - Amanatidis, Beierle (70. Bindewald)

Goals: 1:0 Brdaric (42.), 2:0 Brdaric (75.), 3:0 Idrissou (89.)
Yellow cards: de Guzman, Brdaric / Chris, Bürger, Schur
Referee: Wolfgang Stark
Spectators: 27.537 (sold out)

Hannover 96 - Eintracht Frankfurt
20:6 shots at the goal
10:4 corner-kicks
21:7 crosses
17:10 fouls
3:5 offsides
53%:47% contacts with the ball
52%:48% +challenges

Best Man Hannover 96: Thomas Brdaric, Jaime, Idrissou
Best Man Eintracht Frankfurt: Pröll

96-Boss is setting an example after the yellow/red for the American.

It was just a few meters, but for Steve Cherundolo it was running the gauntlet. He carried with his teammate Thomas Christiansen one of the big silver metal boxes out of the 96 cabine to the bus. And maybe it was good for him, that he carried something, to force his way. From everywhere he got questioned after the 25th, that minute, he was banned from the field, because he did insult the referee (read my report). Many questions , like why and the meaning of his reaction were answerd by him: "no comments".

His coach Lienen just blamed the referee Steinborn: he told him, that Cherundolo's gesture didn't apply to him. But because the game was broadcasting (live), he didn't had no other chance, otherwise he'd got a bad assesment. "That's how today games like these will be decided", said Lienen angry.

Cherundolo didn't get away with it, who got banned the first time at 96. "That can not be tolerated" said Lienen.

At 96 undisciplined behaviours came out too often. 6 man had to leave the field in that season: Thomas Brdaric, Kleber, Nebojsa Krupnikovic, Mohamadou Idrissou (2), Thomas Christiansen and Julian de Guzman (2). "Whithout that body blow's, Hannover would have 10 points more in the standings".

If 96 would had score with Cherundolo is just speculative. But the chance would have been bigger, and that a "very important player" (Lienen) is missing next Saturday against Frankfurt. "He has a certain importance in the defense and offense for us. His missing is very bitter".

For that stupidity Cherundolo probably has to pay. "He will get a Huge fine. That can't happen, we have to set an example", said 96-Boss Kind. Together with Lienen and manager Ricardo Moar, the amount will be setted.

In opposition of Kind, Freiburg's coach Finke doesn't think about a fine (Coulibaly had to leave the field too). "The striker is punishing himself, why do I have to push him?" he said. His friend Lienen said: "What the player is losing, doesn't matter to me anyway. We're missing the points, and that his much worse".

[German source: http://www.haz.de]

Freiburg has won 4:1 against Hannover after an early body blow for Hannover. In the 25th Steven Cherundolo got banned yellow/red that decided the game for Freiburg (deserved).

Hannover started with the former Freiburg player Vladimir But in the starting lineup (instead of Mathis), as the playmaker. Forward Stendel played instead of Dabrowski, in a very offensive tactic (4-3-3).

Freiburg played without their goalkeeper Golz and Antar (banned).

Freiburg started the game in an offensive mood, but Hannover stood in the first 20 minutes very compact in the defense and the midfield. Chances came out for both sides. In the 2nd Coulibaly crossed a ball into the box, but Kleber cleared it. 5 minutes later But got a great chance after a nice pass by Cherundolo, but he didn't get the ball under control. In the 14th Freiburg went ahead by Riether's header 4 meters in front of the goal, set up by Bajramovic inside the box.

In the 22nd Thomas Brdaric had the chance to equalize. De Guzman played a great 50-meter pass to Brdaric who shot from 7 meters over the bar. 3 Minutes later the key scene of the game took place: On the right wing Steven Cherundolo lost the ball against Kruppke, and wanted to get it back, while he tackled him. Referee Edgar Steinborn showed him the yellow card. Cherundolo didn't agree with his decision, turned around by going back to his defense line, and indicated to the referee, that he is crazy by tapping his finger two times on his forehead (in german: einen Vogel zeigen). Steinborn saw that and gave him the second yellow, Cherundolo had to leave the field. That unnecessary behaviour didn't help Hannover to equalize.

The homeside did not do much from now on, to act more agressively. 3 minutes later Brdaric got a chance after a nice pass from Kleber in a free room in front of the goal, but that chance was wrongly called offside (not the first wrong decision of the referee).

In the second half Silvio Schröter was new in the team (Cherundolo's place) subbed for Thomas Christiansen. In the 50th Freiburg scored 2:0 by a header from Bajramovic (11 meters), setted up by Willi. But Hannover did not give up and came closer by a goal by Brdaric. De Guzman won a ball on the left wing and passed it to But. He kicked that ball high into the box, while Brdaric took advantage and headed the ball high into the net. Freiburg had the next chances (59th, 61st, 63rd). In the 69th Iashvili scored for a 3:1-lead, set up by Tzkitishvili who crossed from the left wing. Iashvili struck the ball into the left corner. In the 71st Iashvili scored from a tight angle (left) to the final result of 4:1. Coulibaly celebrated that goal by throwing his jersey on the lawn and got his second yellow, which is why he had to leave the field (too late).

The early goal and the red card for Steven Cherundolo was too hard for Hannover 96 to compensate. After that, Freiburg was the dominated team and deserved well the 3 points, that will help them to avoid relegation. Next weekend Hannover (homeside) play's against Frankfurt and has to win. There are only 2 points between "the reds" and the relegation zone!

STATS

Lineups
Hannover 96: Ziegler - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Kleber - Stendel, Lala (72. Dabrowski), de Guzman, But (68. Mathis) - Christiansen (46. Schröter), Brdaric
SC Freiburg: Reinard - Schumann (64. Müller), Diarra - Willi, Riether, Kruppke, Tskitishvili, Bajramovic (64. Hermel), Coulibaly - Cairo (81. Tanko), Iashvili

Goals: 1:0 Riether (14.), 2:0 Bajramovic (50.), 2:1 Brdaric (52.), 3:1 Iashvili (69.), 4:1 Iashvili (78.)
Yellow cards: Schumann / de Guzman
Yellow/Reds: Coulibaly (78.) and Cherundolo (25.)
Referee: Edgar Steinborn
Spectators: 25.000 (sold out)

Standings:
11. SC Freiburg
13. Hannover 96

Freiburg has won 4:1 against Hannover after an early body blow for Hannover. In the 25th Steven Cherundolo got banned yellow/red that decided the game for Freiburg (deserved). Hannover started with the former Freiburg player Vladimir But in the starting lineup (instead of Mathis), as the playmaker. Forward Stendel played instead of Dabrowski, in a very offensive tactic (4-3-3). Freiburg played without their goalkeeper Golz and Antar (banned). Freiburg started the game in an offensive mood, but Hannover stood in the first 20 minutes very compact in the defense and the midfield. Chances came out for both sides. In the 2nd Coulibaly crossed a ball into the box, but Kleber cleared it. 5 minutes later But got a great chance after a nice pass by Cherundolo, but he didn't get the ball under control. In the 14th Freiburg went ahead by Riether's header 4 meters in front of the goal, set up by Bajramovic inside the box. In the 22nd Thomas Brdaric had the chance to equalize. De Guzman played a great 50-meter pass to Brdaric who shot from 7 meters over the bar. 3 Minutes later the key scene of the game took place: On the right wing Steven Cherundolo lost the ball against Kruppke, and wanted to get it back, while he tackled him. Referee Edgar Steinborn showed him the yellow card. Cherundolo didn't agree with his decision, turned around by going back to his defense line, and indicated to the referee, that he is crazy by tapping his finger two times on his forehead (in german: einen Vogel zeigen). Steinborn saw that and gave him the second yellow, Cherundolo had to leave the field. That unnecessary behaviour didn't help Hannover to equalize. The homeside did not do much from now on, to act more agressively. 3 minutes later Brdaric got a chance after a nice pass from Kleber in a free room in front of the goal, but that chance was wrongly called offside (not the first wrong decision of the referee). In the second half Silvio Schröter was new in the team (Cherundolo's place) subbed for Thomas Christiansen. In the 50th Freiburg scored 2:0 by a header from Bajramovic (11 meters), setted up by Willi. But Hannover did not give up and came closer by a goal by Brdaric. De Guzman won a ball on the left wing and passed it to But. He kicked that ball high into the box, while Brdaric took advantage and headed the ball high into the net. Freiburg had the next chances (59th, 61st, 63rd). In the 69th Iashvili scored for a 3:1-lead, set up by Tzkitishvili who crossed from the left wing. Iashvili struck the ball into the left corner. In the 71st Iashvili scored from a tight angle (left) to the final result of 4:1. Coulibaly celebrated that goal by throwing his jersey on the lawn and got his second yellow, which is why he had to leave the field (too late). The early goal and the red card for Steven Cherundolo was too hard for Hannover 96 to compensate. After that, Freiburg was the dominated team and deserved well the 3 points, that will help them to avoid relegation. Next weekend Hannover (homeside) play's against Frankfurt and has to win. There are only 2 points between "the reds" and the relegation zone! STATS Lineups Hannover 96: Ziegler - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Kleber - Stendel, Lala (72. Dabrowski), de Guzman, But (68. Mathis) - Christiansen (46. Schröter), Brdaric SC Freiburg: Reinard - Schumann (64. Müller), Diarra - Willi, Riether, Kruppke, Tskitishvili, Bajramovic (64. Hermel), Coulibaly - Cairo (81. Tanko), Iashvili Goals: 1:0 Riether (14.), 2:0 Bajramovic (50.), 2:1 Brdaric (52.), 3:1 Iashvili (69.), 4:1 Iashvili (78.) Yellow cards: Schumann / de Guzman Yellow/Reds: Coulibaly (78.) und Cherundolo (25.) Referee: Edgar Steinborn Spectators: 25.000 (sold out) Standings: 12 Gladbach 33 13 Hannover 96 33 14 Hertha 32 15 Kaiserslautern 32 16 1860 München 31 17 Frankfurt 29 18 1. FC Köln 20