Duisburg 1-1 Dortmund
Bielefeld 2-0 Mainz

Hamburger SV  1-1  Hannover 96
 18 : 10 shots
  9 : 4 corner kicks
 14 : 5 crosses
  20 : 16 fouls
  2 : 1 offsides
53% : 47% contacts
49% : 51% +challenges

Most shots:
96: C. Yankov, J. Stajner (3 each)
Hamburg: Van der Vaart (5)

Most setups:
96: M. Tarnat (3)
Hamburg: T. Atouba, Van der Vaart (5 each)

Most contacts:
96: M. Tarnat (83)
Hamburg: T. Atouba (87)

Most won challenges:
96: D. Zuraw (80%)
Hamburg: R. Wicky (63%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

It wasn't the fifth win in a row against the Hamburger SV, but Czech Jiri Stajner's goal in the 18th minute rewarded 96 with one point on the road after Mehdi Mahdavikia scored the equaliser in the 22nd at the AOL-Arena. The final result 1-1 was Hannover's third draw in their third match of the season.

There were no changes in Hannover's lineup to their last two fixtures. Hamburg's Emile Mpenza was replaced by Benjamin Lauth, and Stefan Beinlich was missing due to injury.

From the start the homeside began threatening without creating any chances. Hannover on the other hand converted their attempt: Thomas Brdaric sent a cross to Hashemian from the left wing who brilliantly set up for the completely unmarked Stajner inside the box. The Czech lobbed the ball over the attacking goalkeeper Waechter from six meters into the net to 1-0 (18min).

But the equaliser came just four minutes later. A free-kick to their strong left back Atouba on the left wing, who crossed to the far post, found it's way to Rafael van der Vaart who headed towards goal. The 96-goalie Robert Enke saved with a great reflex punching out, but Mehdi Mahdavikia buried this ball with a header to 1-1 (22min).

Hamburg dominated the last minutes of the first half. In the 42nd minute it was again Atouba who beat Hanno Balitsch on the left. Atouba's cross found Benny Lauth, but his shot was bounced off to van der Vaart who shot from 10 meters near the right post.

After the break Hannover cleared the starting blocks quickly. They were the more dangerous team in early proceedings, as they got behind the Hamburg defensive lines numerous times to get into the attack, especially through Chavdar Yankov who had three attempts within 12 minutes. The best chance for the Bulgarian was seen in the 53rd minute after a nice attack initiated by Albanian captain Altin Lala. Hashemian passed to Yankov who ran into the left box and shot from a tight angle, but Waechter did well to cut off his angle to make the save.

Two minutes later Yankov used his free space and unleashed a shot from 22 meters, cleared by Waechter to a corner-kick.

After Hannover's great start Hamburg again dominated the match until the final whistle. In the 75th minute a Mahdavikia header, set up by Barbarez, deflected from the bar. In a Reds' counter-attack Christoph Dabrowski's shot seven minutes later was saved by Waechter.

Then the AOL-Arena saw a jubilant crowd when Trochowski hammered from 13 meters into the right corner. But that goal was called offside due to an offside position of his team colleague van Buyten. The match ended with the final result 1-1.

It was the third draw in a row for Ewald Lienen's squad, who remain unbeaten in this season so far. For the homeside Atouba and Mahdavikia were dangerous all the time, but Hannover's defence with German international Per Mertesacker did well. Robert Enke showed again that he is one of the best goal keepers in the Bundesliga. Vahid Hashemian showed a great performance, and Chavdar Yankov is getting stronger every match. The Reds earned a lucky but undeserved point.

STATISTICS

Hamburger SV: Wächter - Demel, Boulahrouz, van Buyten, Atouba - Wicky - Mahdavikia, Jarolim - van der Vaart ( 76. Trochowski) - Barbarez, Lauth ( 55. Takahara)

Hannover 96: Enke - Balitsch, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Lala, Dabrowski - Stajner, Yankov - Brdaric, Hashemian

Goals: 0:1 Stajner (18., Hashemian), 1:1 Mahdavikia (22., van der Vaart)

Cautions: Jarolim / Yankov, Balitsch, Dabrowski, Tarnat

Attendance: 48.866

96-head coach Ewald Lienen announces 18-man roster for the match against Hamburg:

Enke, Juric, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Vinicius, Großöhmichen, Tarnat, Halfar, Dietwald, Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski, Schulz, Yankov, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian and Hahne.

Braunschweig 2-1 Dortmund

S. Leipzig - Dresden 4:6 (Penalty shootout)
Hoffenheim - VfB Stuttgart 3:4
Osnabrück - Greuther Fuerth 12:11 (Penalty shootout)
Spfr. Siegen - Freiburg 0:1
1. FC Eschborn - Nuremberg 0:4
FC Kutzhof - M'gladbach 0:3
Wolfsburg II - Duisburg 0:1
Neuruppin - FC Bayern 0:4
Rostock II - Mainz 0:3
Magdeburger SV - Bielefeld 0:3

Upcoming fixture:
Braunschweig - Dortmund

Wuppertal - 1860 Munich 1:2
Kiel - Unterhaching 0:2
Essen - Cottbus 6:7 (Penalty shootout)
Oberhausen - Frankfurt 1:2
Köln II - Hannover 0:4
Bochum II - Erzg. Aue 2:3
Erfurt - Ahlen 2:1
Mainz II - Karlsruhe 0:3
FC St. Pauli - Burghausen 3:2
Regensburg - Aachen 1:3
Ingolstadt - Saarbruecken 5:6 (Penalty shootout)
Offenbach - Köln 3:1
TB Berlin - Bochum 0:6
Stuttgarter Kickers - HSV 1:5
Trier - Kaiserslautern 0:3
Paderborn - Wolfsburg 0:2
Wattenscheid - Bremen 1:3
FC 08 Villingen - Rostock 2:5
Erfurt II - Leverkusen 0:8
Bremerhaven - Schalke 04 0:3
TuS Koblenz - Hertha BSC 2:3

The Reds have entered the 2nd round of the FA Cup. The team of 96-head coach Ewald Lienen have beaten 1. FC Cologne's reserve team who play their football in the Regionalliga (3rd league) 4-0 (1-0) at the Cologne Southstadium infront of 2.000 spectators. The goals were scored by Vahid Hashemian (6th), Thomas Brdaric (52nd), Chavdar Yankov (54th) and Jiri Stajner (65th). In the 25th Cologne's Nickenig was sent off the field due to a red card.

Ewald Lienen exactly sent the same team on the field as he did in the matches against Berlin and Nuremberg. Cologne's coach Christoph John started with the two Bundesliga players Patrick Helmes and Anthony Lurling. Referee Winkmann had to blow his whistle 30 minutes late because a cloudburst prevented the teams to start.

As expected 96 began with an early goal. Hannover taking the lead with 6 played when Brdaric passed to new signing "Helicopter" Vahid Hashemian who headed home with his first goal of the season (picture).

The homeside don't seemed to be shocked and tested 96-goalkeeper Robert Enke several times who did great saves. It was the 25th minute when Cologne were weaken itself. Central defender Tobias Nickenig fouled Thomas Brdaric and awarded a deserved red card, that he had to leave the field.

Just a few minutes into the second half a double-strike from The Reds decided the match. It was Brdaric again who played an important role. After a brilliant combination the striker fulfilled his duty from a short distance to 2-0 (52nd). Two minutes later Hannover's third new signing Bulgarian international Chavdar Yankov has beaten goalie Kessler easily and finished to 3-0. Czech Jiri Stajner found the net in the 66th to the final result 4-0.

96-General manager Ilja Kaenzig was really glad about that win "The goals came out at the right time. The 2nd goal decided the match.". Now Hannover is looking forward to the 2nd draw, which team the next opponent will be.

STATISTICS

1. FC Cologne II: Kessler - Schöneberg, Nickenig, Heinrichs, Sambou - Alushi, Lurling, Tosun - Helmes (89. Laux), Chitsulo (73. Pagano), Epstein (79. Schlösser)

Hannover 96: Enke - Balitsch, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat (79. Halfar) - Lala (79. Lala), Dabrowski - Yankov (69. Hahne) - Hashemian, Brdaric, Stajner

Goals: 0:1 Hashemian (6.), 0:2 Brdaric (51.), 0:3 Yankov (54.), 0:4 Stajner (66.)

Cautions: red card for Nickenig (25.)
Referee: Guido Winkmann (Kerpen)
Spectators: 2.000

Picture: S. Zwing

96-head coach Ewald Lienen announces 17-man roster for the match against Cologne:

Enke, Juric, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Großoehmichen, Tarnat, Halfar, Dietwald, Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski, Yankov, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian, Hahne and Montabell.

Netherlands 2-2 Germany
(Per Mertesacker, 66 minutes for Germany): Germany produced a stirring comeback from two goals down to grab a draw against a string Dutch side in a keenly-contested friendly in Rotterdam. Two Arjen Robben strikes appeared to have given the Netherlands a comfortable lead, but goals from Michael Ballack and Gerald Asamoah helped Juergen Klinsmann's side back into the game.

Bulgaria 3-1 Turkey
(Chavdar Yankov, 52nd minutes for Bulgaria): Bayer Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov scored twice to earn Bulgaria a 3-1 friendly victory over Turkey on Wednesday.

Albania 2-1 Azerbaijan
(Altin Lala, 1st half for Albania)

Stuttgart 2-3 Cologne
Mainz 0-2 Bremen

1. FC Nuremberg - Hannover 96
 23 : 13 shots
  4 : 6 corner kicks
 18 : 10 crosses
  8 : 18 fouls
  2 : 4 offsides
58% : 42% contacts
55% : 45% +challenges

Most shots:
96: T. Brdaric (4)
Nuremberg: R. Vittek (11)

Most setups:
96: C. Yankov (5)
Nuremberg: I. Saenko (5)

Most contacts:
96: M. Tarnat (63)
Nuremberg: L. Mueller (109)

Most won challenges:
96: P. Mertesacker (75 %)
Nuremberg: B. Bosacki (74%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Like last season at the "Franken Stadion", the Reds went ahead with an early lead in the 8th minute through a header from Thomas Brdaric. The well organized 96-defence build up the game against attacking Nuremberg until the 90th. Right, when nobody expected an equaliser, last season's top scorer "Phantom" Marek Mintal fired home in the 90th and the teams were sharing the spoils (1-1).

No changes for the Reds
No changes were made to the 96 starting-11 from last's Bundesliga match aggainst Berlin (2-2). No surprise, Hannover's head coach Ewald Lienen misses 9 player's due to injury. Nuremberg on the other hand had to do without Abel Chedli (ankle) with Ivan Saenko replacing him. Nuremberg's coach Wolfgang Wolf sent an offensive minded squad on the field which included Marek Mintal, Markus Schroth and Robert Vittek.

Early lead through Brdaric
Hannover 96 came out with a good start. Just three minutes into the game German Michael Tarnat crossed to Iranian international who missed the post with a header. In the 6th Chzech Jiri Stajner passed to German Hanno Balitsch, replacing U.S defender Steven Cherundolo right back, who tested Raphael Schaefer inside the goalmouth but Nuremberg's goalie saved well. 2 minutes later Hannover went ahead after corner-kick from Bulgarian international Chavdar Yankov. The midfielder's ball found it's way to Brdaric who headed home from three meters into the lower right-hand corner leaving Schaefer not a slightest chance. That was Brdaric's 40th Bundesliga goal so far!

By then the home side had tested Hannover's defence twice with deliveries from trialist Jawhar Mnari (over the bar, 16th) and Saulius Mikoliunas (outer net, 19th). Seven mutes later a shot from Brdaric missed the goal (25th).

At Nuremberg it was always Vittek who post any danger infront of Hannover's goal., like his shot from 18 meters after a squear pass from Saenko near the right post. Nuremberg's best opportunity came from Lars Mueller's shot from 20 meters which deflected from the left post (44th).

Half time 0-1

Nuremberg's pressure rewarded lately
From the beginning of the second half The Reds were acting defensively waiting on counter attacks with just a few attempts. The homeside put more pressure into the game resulting in a great chance by Robert Vittek's header from four meters that Robert Enke brilliantly saved with a world-class reflex action (49th).

The scene was set again for Vittek in the 56th when his shot from an acute angle (right) was cleared off the line from Balitsch after Enke touched the ball without giving it another direction (56th).

Nuremberg dominated the second half throughout. 96 came to another counter attack in the 72nd through Yankov who failed near the right post.

Hannover's defence did well until the last minute dreaming of three points on the road. With the last scene Lars Müller sent a high ball into the box, when substitute Kießling sent it with his breast to Marek Mintal who coverted with turning shot from 10 meters (90th). That was his first and last chance during the match. The "Phantom" striked back again!

Full time 1-1

Bad luck, but not undeserved
Nuremberg have stolen Hannover two points in the last second. Like last years fixture Mintal saved one point for them (1-1). But it was a deserved draw because their domination of the second half. 96-Youngster Johannes Dietwald gave his Bundesliga debut in the last minutes.

STATISTICS

1. FC Nuremberg: Schäfer - Lense, Cantaluppi, Bosacki (82. S. Müller) , L. Müller - Polak - Mnari (68. Banovic) - Mintal, Saenko - Vittek - Schroth (68. Kießling)

Hannover 96: Enke - Balitsch, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Lala, Dabrowski - Yankov (87. Dietwald) - Hashemian (69. Vinicius), Stajner, Brdaric

Goals: 0:1 Brdaric (8., Yankov), 1:1 Mintal (90., Kießling)
Cautions: - / Yankov , Vinicius , Stajner
Attendance: 28.349
Referee: Peter Gagelmann (Bremen)

Picture: S. Zwing

96-head coach Ewald Lienen announces 18-man roster for the match against Nuremberg:

Enke, Juric, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Vinicius, Großöhmichen, Tarnat, Halfar, Dietwald, Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski, Yankov, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian, Hahne and Montabell.

Schalke - Kaiserslautern 2-1
Frankfurt - Leverkusen 1-4

Hannover 96 - Hertha BSC Berlin
 12 : 15 shots
 2 : 8 corner kicks
 27 : 11 crosses
15 : 12 fouls
  6 : 4 offsides
49% : 51% contacts
52% : 48% +challenges

Most shots:
96: Thomas Brdaric (5)
Berlin: Marcelinho (8)

Most setups:
96: Alin Lala (3)
Berlin: Arthur Wichniarek (4)

Most contacts:
96: Tarnat (77)
Berlin: Marcelinho (75)

Most won challenges:
96: Christoph Dabrowski (82 %)
Berlin: A. Madlung (71%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Although suffering a deft double blow ten minutes into the second half, Hannover 96 comes back with a vengeance and levels the result three minutes before the final whistle blows. Berlin's international strikers, Brazil's Marcelinho (49 min) and Poland's Artur Wichniarek (54 min), put the club from the German Capital ahead. But the Reds show unflappable morale and level off after a breathless race for Berlin's goal; strong midfielder Christoph Dabrowski nets a header (66 min), but his teammate Michael Tarnat, former Manchester City defender and German international, brings relief to the AWD Arena. His rocket free kick from 18 yards hits home inside the left post, and supporters go berserk with joy.

Baby bench
Troubled by nine missing regulars due to injuries, Hannover's head coach Ewald Lienen had to fill the substitute's bench with the club's young talents. Johannes Dietwald, Bastian Schulz and Hendrik Grossoehmichen got the chance to debut as professionals. Recent Mainz 05 transfer, midfielder Hanno Balitsch, had to help out playing right defender. Three other recent transfers joined him in the starting line-up to form an impressive midfield and forward section: Bulgarian international Chavdar Yankov, "prodigal son" German international Thomas Brdaric (he played for the Reds in 2003/2004) and Iranian international Vahid Hashemian are the new hopefuls for the season. Guest team Hertha BSC Berlin had to do without Turkey's international, midfielder Yildiray Bastuerk, and long-term injured regular goalkeeper Christian Fiedler. Former 96er Gerhard "Gerry" Tremmel replaces him in goal.

Defensive play dominates first half
Hannover gets the better start, and tests Berlin's defense with strong pressure and Chavdar Yankov's distance shot from 25 yards (8.). But Berlin's play gains momentum, with Marcelinho conducting attack after attack, but failing to shake Hannover's brick-wall defensive formation. Only the Brazilian's free kick from 17 yards proves a slight chance for Berlin to score, but keeper Robert Enke deflects the ball with both fists in a reflex reaction (22.). Only two minutes later "prodigal son" Thomas Brdaric scoops up Altin Lala's long through ball at the right corner of the box, and shoots on target inside the near post. But Gerhard Tremmel denies this beautiful effort (24.). The match ebbed away into the break, with only one wake-up call one minute before the interval. Hashemian's header finds Thomas Brdaric, but the striker only hits the ball half-heartedly from 20 yards (44 min).

Phenomenal recovery in the second
Only ten minutes into the second half, the Reds seem to be doomed to defeat in their opening match of the season. Referee Knut Kircher sees Jiri Stajner's foul on Arne Friedrich inside the box, and awards Berlin a penalty. Keeper Enke, accurate in guessing the corner, is left without a chance when Marcelinho tucks the ball neatly away into the bottom left (49 min). Another five minutes, and Berlin's Nando Rafael diverts attention from Artur Wichniarek, who converts Rafael's clever follow-up pass from eight yards (54 min). Marcelinho could have sealed Hannover's fate when he deflects his teammate Oliver Schroeder's effort with his toecap and his shot goes wide of the left goalpost by inches. Hannover seem to be a goner after these two crushing blows. But morale and mind triumph over matter, and today's midfield surprise Christoph Dabrowski scores his first Bundesliga goal in his 122nd match. After tackling near the kick off spot he sends a long ball for teammate Thomas Brdaric, who grabs the ball, runs down the left flank and places his high cross behind enemy lines. Simultaneously Dabrowski is rushing straight towards goal, connects with Brdaric's gentle lop, and his bouncing header leaves not the slightest chance for a save to Gerhard Tremmel (66 min). Back in the match, Hannover lower their guards even more. Marcelinho manages a lop from twelve yards unchallenged, but takes too good an aim, missing the right post (71 min). The Reds increase pressure to create chances for an equaliser. Thomas Brdaric's ten-yard effort lands in Tremmel's arms, after Stajner sets him up nicely (78 min). In the end taking risks pays off. Berlin's substitute Andreas "Zecke" (The Tick) Neuendorf grounds Chadar Yankov two yards from the box with three minutes of play left. Left-footed defender Michael "Tanne" (The Tree) Tarnat, feared for his forceful free kicks, fires the ball uncompromisingly at goal, where it bounces off the left post and impacts. Supporters and players alike go berserk celebrating the relieving and well-deserved equaliser.

Hannover shows morale
The Reds earn one point with a great display of morale and determination. They took the early double blow, induced by a questionable penalty, but stood up to the challenge and turned the match around with Christoph Dabrowski's excellent goal. The late equaliser prevents Hannover from starting awkwardly into the 43rd Bundesliga season.

STATISTICS:

Hannover 96: Enke - Balitsch, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Yankov, Lala, Dabrowski - Stajner - Hashemian, Brdaric

Hertha BSC Berlin: Tremmel - A. Friedrich, van Burik, Madlung - O. Schröder, Simunic, N. Kovac - Marcelinho (90+2 Dardai), Gilberto - Rafael (90. Okoronkwo), Wichniarek (76. Neuendorf)

Goals: 0:1 Marcelinho (49., penalty kick, A. Friedrich), 0:2 Wichniarek (54., Rafael), 1:2 Dabrowski (66., Brdaric), 2:2 Tarnat (87., Yankov)

Cautions: Hashemian, Stajner
Referee: Knut Kircher
Attendance: 40.473

Picture: O. Vosshage

96-head coach Ewald Lienen announces 18 man roster for the match against Berlin:

Enke, Juric, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Vinicius, Großoehmichen, Tarnat, Halfar, Dietwald, Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski, Yankov, Schulz, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian and Hahne.

Bad luck for Hannover 96! The Reds will be without Moritz Marheineke for the start of the new season after the defender injured his shoulder during a motorcycle crash. The 20-year-old will be sidelined for weeks.

Hannover 96 striker Michael Delura picked up an injury during pre-season match against Twente Enschede (1-1). After doing a MRI the result turned out to be a torn ligament in the left ankle. Michael takes at least four to six weeks in order to have overcome the injury.

"What a pity, I felt very comfortable and I looked forward to the upcoming season", the 20-year-old German told. "Hes was on a distinguished way, but that has stopped now", so the 96-head coach Ewald Lienen.