Hannover 96 defender Steven Cherundolo talks about tomorrow's match of the US against Poland and Saturday's match against Wolfsburg (Scroll down for the English version):

"Football is crazy, and 96 is in the middle of it. About two weeks ago we played terribly and won ..."

www.Cherundolo.de

Defender Christoffer Andersson signed a contract with Hannover 96 which will keep him at the club from the beginning of the new season 2006/2007 until the summer of 2008. The Swedish international who is coming from the Norway club Lilleström SK has been shown in action at 26 matches (1 goal) in the Norway elite league. We are looking forward seeing Christoffer for two years in the 96-dress.

Christoffer Andersson

Nationality: Schweden
Position: Right /Left Back
Born: 10/22/1978
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 68 Kg
Former Clubs: Lillestroem SK, Helsingborgs IF, Nybro

Vfl Wolfsburg vs Hannover 96
13 : 15 shots on goal
8 : 5 corners
19 : 10 crosses
49% : 51% possesions
50% : 50% +challenges
17 : 24 fouls
3 : 9 offsides

Most shots on goal:
96: V. Hashemian (4)
Wolfsburg: M. Hanke (5)

Most setups:
96: M. Tarnat (5)
Wolfsburg: J. Menseguez (4)

Most ball possesions:
96: S. Cherundolo (81)
Wolfsburg: Alex (66)

Most won challenges:
96: M. Tarnat (87%)
Wolfsburg: M. Franz (70%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Hamburg - Stuttgart 0:2
Duisburg - Hertha 2:1

The Reds drop down to the 7th position in the standings.

Despite a dominant performance on Hannover's side, Vfl Wolfsbug defeated The Reds in the northern derby 2:1 (1:1) with a lucky shot from Juan Menseguez 5 minutes before the final whistle. Mike Hanke's header took the lead for the Wolve's in the 9th minute of play. Thomas Brdaric scored the equaliser for 96 just eight minutes later (17th). Right then, when The Red's dominated the match throughout, Menseguez' shot surprised 96 goalie Robert Enke and finally found the net. This is the first loss under Hannover's coach Peter Neururer.

96 coach Neurure had to rebuild the defence: Polish Dariusz Zuraw missed out through knee injury, so Vinicius partnered Per Mertesacker in the centre of defence. Wolfsburg-Coach Klaus Augenthaler had to change the line-up on three positions with Mike Hanke and Diego Klimowicz playing upfront, and Neziri on midfield. Franz replaced central defender Kevin Hofland suffering a groin-injury.

The first scene in front of a dissapointing attendance of 21,436, belonged to The Reds when German international Mertesacker's header from the penalty spot missed the left post with inches to spare, setup by Michael Tarnat (2nd). Two minutes later a header from Wolfsburg's Klimowicz after a right cross from Menseguez was brilliantly saved by Enke.

It was the hosts who scored first when Alex crossed in from the right flank Mike Hanke converted a precise header from eight metres into the top right corner leaving Enke no chance (9th).

But the equaliser fell minutes later after a overhead shot from Iranian international Vahid Hashemian was saved by Wolfsburg's goalkeeper Jentzsch: Jiri Stajner has beaten two Wolfsburg defenders on the right wing and crossed in sharp to Brdaric who flicked home from the near post. It was his Brdaric' 10th season tally.

The Red's created several opportunities in the lastr minutes of the first half, when a volley from Hasemian missed the bar from 7metres (44th) and a shot from Hanno Balitsch from 10 metres that Jentzsch parried away.

Halftime 1:1

Hannover jumped out of the blocks quickly when a header from Balitsch was saved by Jentzsch again (49th). The next scene came out by a counter attack from Wolfsburg when Menseguez sent the ball to Franz who missed the ball in front of Enke (54th). Then a shot by Hashemian went over the bar on the other side (10metres).

Hannover nearly took the lead when a corner-kick from Tarnat has found Balitsch who delivered to the far post where Dabrowski was waiting to finish with a header from six metres, but a brilliant save by Jentzsch denied that chance (65th).

Neurure brought Yankov for Lala on the pitch to create more danger. And it worked, but several good chances haven't found the net: Quiroga cleared a Balitsch shot in the 75th, then a shot by Hashemian went over the bar (79th), and one minute later it was again the Iranian whose header fell into the arms of Jentzsch. But luck was not on Hannover's side, when Thomas Brdaric' lob from 15 metres went over the bar.

Right then when Hannover deserved the lead throughout, a lucky shot from Menseguez took the lead for the Wolve's. After a corner the ball was cleared out by Tarnat and went to the Argentine who strucked from 23 metres into the bottom right corner (86th) to the final result 2:1.

Hannover's series, unbeaten for 11 consecutive matches is over now. Even one point on the road in Wolfsburg would have been not enough after the dominat play of The Reds. What an undeserved win for Wolfsburg! 96-midfielder Hanno Balitsch misses next match against Schalke due to suspension (5 yellow cards).

VfL Wolfsburg: Jentzsch - Alex, Quiroga, Franz, van der Heyden - Karhan, van der Leegte - Menseguez, Neziri - Klimowicz, Hanke - Coach: Augenthaler

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Vinicius, Tarnat - Lala - Balitsch, Dabrowski - Stajner - Hashemian, Brdaric - Coach: Neururer

Goals:
1:0 Hanke (9., Header, assist by Alex),
1:1 Brdaric (17., left shot, assist by Stajner),
2:1 Menseguez (86., right shot)

Substitutions:
56. Lamprecht for Neziri
66. Thiam for van der Leegte
79. Schnoor for Franz

76. Yankov for Lala
87. Delura for Tarnat

Referee: Wack, Dr.
Attendance: 21,436
Bookings: Balitsch

96 head coch Peter Neururer has announced the following team for the game against Wolfsburg. Polish Darek Zuraw misses due to knee injury.

Enke, Juric, Cherundolo, Troest, Vinicius, Mertesacker, Tarnat, Lala, Dabrowski, Balitsch, Yankov, Sousa, Delura, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian, Christiansen and Hahne


Possible line-ups:

VfL Wolfsburg:
Jentzsch
Sarpei (Alex), Quiroga, Hofland, van der Heyden
Karhan, van der Leegte (Thiam), Menseguez, Tskitishvili
Hanke, Klimowicz

Referee: Dr. Xaver Wack (Biberach)

Hannover 96 defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Bayern Munich (Scroll down for the English version):

"Dissapointing but fair. We fought with everything we had to defend the lead, but Bayern ..."

www.Cherundolo.de

Hannover 96 midfielder Chavdar Yankov and Slavia Sofia extend their contract with The Reds for one year wich will see him remain until the summer of 2007. The Bulgarian international who came this season to 96 has been shown in action at 16 Bundesliga matches (3 goals).

We are looking forward seeing "Chak" for one more year in the 96-dress.

Stuttgart - Mainz 2:1
Frankfurt - Hamburg 1:2

The Reds stay on the 6th position in standings (Uefa-Cup).

Happy birthday Steven Cherundolo! Today the US defender celebrates his 27th birthday. Steve came 1999 to The Reds and has been shown in action at 105 Bundesliga matches (3 goals). He is one of the few players in the team who promoted to the German elite class.

Steve's website: www.Cherundolo.de

Hannover 96 vs FC Bayern Munich
12 : 19 shots on goal
3 : 6 corners
16 : 17 crosses
44% : 56% possesions
46% : 54% +challenges
16 : 9 fouls
2 : 8 offsides

Most shots on goal:
96: T. Brdaric (4)
Bayern: R. Makaay, C. Pizarro (4 each)

Most setups:
96: V. Hashemian (4)
Bayern: M. Ballack (4)

Most ball possesions:
96: M. Tarnat (67)
Bayern: A. Karimi (82)

Most won challenges:
96: C. Dabrowski (62%)
Bayern: V. Ismael (93%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

A sensational victory was in the air against German record champions Bayern Munich at home in the sold-out AWD Arena. Hannover's striker Thomas Brdaric (picture) put the Reds ahead in the 55th minute. But a last-minute header from German international Michael Ballack tricked the Reds out of their deserved win against the visitors from Bavaria, leaving the final result at 1 all (0:0). An exceptional Robert Enke produced several outstanding saves against strong Bavarians. Hannover remain unbeaten for eleven consecutive matches, climbing to position 5 in the table to occupy a UEFA Cup placement.

Finally head coach Peter Neururer's team-sheet included two main players after forced absence. German international Per Mertesacker returned at centre back after rehab from a complicated injury, joining Dariusz Zuraw in central defence. Brazilian Vinicius moved to defensive midfield position to intercept Michael Ballack. Altin Lala was sidelined on his return from fifth-yellow suspension, so right back Steven Cherundolo wore the captain's armband. Striker Thomas Brdaric completed the forward formation next to Vahid Hashemian. Ricardo Sousa and last week's match-winner Chavdar Yankov dropped to the bench. Visitor coach Felix Magath allowed for the luxury to spare defence co-ordinator Lucio today's match, so he is rested for the upcoming Champions League fixture against AC Milan. Demichelis took over in central defence, with Philip Lahm surprisingly taking Demichelis' position. Karimi replaced Bastian Schweinsteiger on the right flank.

Right from the start a crowd of 49,000 experience an energetic and exciting match. Hannover dominate the opening exchanges and create the first opportunity after a mere 30 seconds. Left back Michael Tarnat crosses hard from the left into the box, Christoph Dabrowski volleying the ball at target, the left post saving the day for German international keeper Oliver Kahn in Bayern's goal. The German record champions need 15 minutes for their first opening. Dutchman Roy Makaay circumnavigates Zuraw after Pizarro's precise pass, but shoots wide from 18 metres (15min). The Reds create their best chances from Tarnat's left crosses, with Iranian international Vahid Hashemian missing one only by inches, and subsequently colliding with Kahn (19min). Five minutes later Hashemian miskicks his whacking shot from two metres completely unmarked, hitting the crossbar, but there is no time to feel sorry as referee Lutz Wagner has called the situation off before. The visitors crank up the pressure and produce unsuccessful openings by the half dozen. Pizarro skips around the Hannover defence, but shoots wide of the far left post (26min). The Reds are grateful to their superb keeper Robert Enke after 35 minutes, when he denies Roy Makaay's hammer shot from 14 metres. Another five minutes, and Makaay lobs the ball over Enke but wide over the crossbar. Hannover deserve their good luck to make the interval with a goalless draw. Neither Karimi, hitting the top-left corner crossbar from acute angle (43min), nor Lahm's attempt, stopped by Enke (44min), nor Ze Roberto's gentle lob following Ballack's through ball, pawed over the crossbar by Hannover's excellent keeper, can change the half time result (45min).

0:0

The second half starts with promising openings for the home side: Jiri Stajner challenges Kahn with a swivelling shot (47min). Shortly after the Czech crosses to Thomas Brdaric in borderline offside position. Brdaric advances on Kahn unchallenged, but the ball bounces from a bump on the pitch, so the striker only flicks the ball over the bar, but crashes into the sprawling Bayern keeper. Kahn suffers an upper thigh contusion from this unfortunate collision, and has to be substituted with reserve keeper Michael Rensing (49min). Their opponent's captain off the pitch, the Reds see their chance to beat Bayern. Their time comes in the 55th minute. Michael Tarnat's long throw-in is helped on by Christoph Dabrowski's back-headed header and lands with Brdaric, who brushes past Demichelis and steers the ball with head and shoulder into the net's far right corner (55min). Hannover seem to profit from the visitors' sinking spirit, but Stajner only sends his seven-metre shot wide of the left post, following an inch-perfect cross from Brdaric (59min). Bayern's pressure is starting to become incessant, and head coach Peter Neururer tries to defuse the situation by subbing in Altin Lala's and Jonas Troest. Visitor coach Magath answers with substitute Mehmet Scholl. Bayern complete a hat-trick of misses: Pizarro's header from five metres goes amiss over the bar (65min), Makaay's volleyed hammer is parried by invincible Robert Enke (66min), Scholl's diagonal attempt is bent around the left post by the alert Hannover keeper (75min). The Bavarians seem to be set to pinch a point from the Reds, and somehow manage to do so in the game's last minute. Willy Sagnol crosses from the right flank, Michael Ballack beats Vinicius and Zuraw in the struggle for the header and nods the ball from six meters into the net (89min).

Bayern Munich pinch a lucky, but probably deserved point from Hannover in a exciting and high-class fixture. Both teams remain unbeaten, Bayern for 15, Hannover for 11 consecutive matches. The Reds could rely on world-class keeper Robert Enke whenever their robust defence was breached by Bavarians. As Hertha BSC Berlin loses at home, the Reds climb to position 5 in the Bundesliga table, a placement good for UEFA CUP participation.

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Vinicius - Balitsch, Dabrowski - Stajner - Brdaric, Hashemian - Coach: Neururer

Bayern Munich: Kahn - Sagnol, Ismael, Demichelis, Lizarazu - Lahm - Karimi, Zé Roberto - Ballack - Pizarro, Makaay - Coach: Magath

Goals:
1:0 Brdaric (56., Header, assist by Dabrowski)
1:1 Ballack (89., Header, assist by Sagnol)

Substitutions:
63. Lala for Stajner
80. Delura for Hashemian
85. Troest for Brdaric

46. Schweinsteiger for Zé Roberto
51. Rensing for Kahn
61. Scholl for Lizarazu

Referee: Wagner
Attendance: 49,000 (sold out)
Bookings: Delura - Scholl, Karimi

96 head coch Peter Neururer has announced the following team for the game against Bayern Munich:

Enke, Juric, Cherundolo, Troest, Vinicius, Tarnat, Mertesacker, Tarnat, Lala, Dabrowski, Balitsch, Yankov, Sousa, Delura, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian, Christiansen, Hahne

Possible line-ups:

Hannover 96: Enke – Cherundolo, Mertesacker (Vinicius), Zuraw, Tarnat – Balitsch, Lala (Vinicius), Dabrowski, Stajner – Hashemian, Brdaric

FC Bayern Munich: Kahn – Sagnol, Lucio, Ismael, Lizarazu – Demichelis, Deisler, Zé Roberto, Ballack – Makaay, Pizarro

Referee: Dr. Jochen Drees (Mainz)

Dariusz Zuraw has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2008. The Polish defender who came 2001 to The Reds has been shown in action at 91 Bundesliga matches (5 goals). We are looking forward seeing Dariusz for two more years in the 96-dress.

Dariusz Zuraw

Born: 11/14/1972
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 79 Kg
Former clubs: Zaglebie Lubin, Okocimski Brzesko, Wielun KS, LZS Rychlocice, LZS Ostrowek Budejovice, Slavia Prag, TJ Senohraby
BL-matches: 91
BL-goals: 5

Hannover 96 defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Frankfurt (Scroll down for the English version):

"I don't know how, but we did it. Three points on the road in Frankfurt is always good..."

www.Cherundolo.de



Picture: S. Zwing

Cologne - Dortmund 0:0
Bayern - Nuremberg 2:1

Hannover 96 stays on the 6th in standings (Intertoto-Cup).

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hannover 96
14 : 7 shots on goal
13 : 5 corners
12 : 7 crosses
52% : 48% possesions
52% : 48% +challenges
20 : 20 fouls
3 : 6 offsides

Most shots on goal:
96: C. Dabrowski, C. Yankov (2 each)
Frankfurt: Chris, A. Meier, F. Copado (3 each)

Most setups:
96: J. Stajner (4)
Frankfurt: F. Copado (4)

Most ball possesions:
96: S. Cherundolo (77)
Frankfurt: Chris (76)

Most won challenges:
96: D. Zuraw (73%)
Frankfurt: A. Vasoski (76%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

"Bulgarian Bomber" batters befuddled Frankfurt with 25-metre blast in 1-0 away victory A dreadful game, but an important away victory for the Reds! Bulgarian international Chavdar Yankov secures the 1-0 (0-0) victory against league-climber Frankfurt. Hannover remain unbeaten for 10 consecutive fixtures and thus equal their record of 40 years ago, climbing to position 6 in the table.

Full-backs Vinicius and Dariusz Zuraw were able to join the starting line-up despite their slight injuries. Right wing-back Steven Cherundolo returned to the pitch fully recovered from concussion, so Danish transfer Jonas Troest dropped to the bench. Head coach Peter Neururer left striker Thomas Brdaric sidelined in his 4-4-2 system. Host coach Friedhelm Funkel was glad to include Brazilian Chris after having served fifth-yellow suspension for suspended Patrick Ochs. Benjamin Koehler was relegated to the bench, and forward Du-Ri Cha joined the defence line.

Hannover start with a promising opportunity through Christoph Dabrowski in the very first minute of the match. But the hosts gain self-confidence by the minute and dominate play. Fortunately for the Reds, Frankfurt cannot capitalise from numerous opportunities. Spanish striker Francisco Copado fritters the ball away with his heel after being served with Christopher Reinhard's cross from the left. Hannover's keeper Robert Enke easily defuses the half-baked attempt from six metres (14min). Frankfurt has most of the possession, but play suffers from flawed passing on both sides. Only individual mistakes provide for the first half's few opportunities. Polish defender Dariusz Zuraw snatches the ball from Ioannis Amanatidis' foot in a last-second manoeuvre (29min) – disappointing Ricardo Sousa causing Frankfurt's attack in the first place with bungled passing. Hannover almost hit home when Hanno Balitsch intercepts the ball and sets up Vahid Hashemian, but the Iranian international is tackled successfully by Macedonian Aleksandar Vasoski (36min, photo). Copado fails again miserably from seven metres not converting Cha's pass, kicking over the ball (42min), with a duplicate blunder just before the half-time whistle, this time involving Amanatidis. The Reds escape into the break with a flattering goalless draw.

0-0

Peter Neururer swaps ineffective Sousa for Thomas Brdaric during the interval. Play remains viscous in the second half, and inaccurate passing spoils the fun for a mere 26,000 punters in Frankfurt's half-empty Commerzbank-Arena. Copado's precise free kick from the right corner of the area forces Robert Enke to give all that he has got to scrape the ball out of the bottom right of his goal (54min). Once again it is Copado to mess up one of the home side's chances from Meier's precise pass (62min). Out of the blue Hannover create an opportunity when Jiri Stajner aims his free kick for unmarked Dabrowski. The tall midfielder helps the ball on from six metres with the back of his head, only missing the net by inches (69min). The match gains momentum, Hannover starting to push Frankfurt back over the centre line. But they fail to gain superiority, and German-born Jermaine Jones almost makes a killing from Koehler's corner, but his hammer shot goes wide of the right post (76min). No one seems to believe what happens two minutes later: Hannover substitute Michael Delura passes to Chavdar Yankov. The Bulgarian international stops the ball with cold-blooded calm, takes aim and fires from 25 metres at target, where his cannonball shot impacts in the top-right triangle a split-second later. Frankfurt's keeper Oka Nikolov is left without any defence (76min) from this Bulgarian blast.

Frankfurt's "Eagles" are obviously unhappy with the result and start attacking viciously. But the Reds relieve any dangerous situation securely. Thomas Brdaric has the chance to put the visitors even further ahead, but sends his attempt from half-right position over the crossbar (89min). And little later it is all over.

Hannover gain three important points from league-climber Frankfurt's defeat and end the three-fixture week with a total of seven points. Ten times straight, the Reds remain unbeaten with their head coach Peter Neururer. The Reds have the chance to break their own record of 40 years back in their next home match, playing top-of-the-table Bayern Munich next Saturday. Frankfurt suffer their first home defeat in six home matches.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Nikolov - D.-R. Cha, Rehmer, Vasoski, Reinhard - Jones - Preuß, Chris - A. Meier - Copado, Amanatidis - Coach: Funkel

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Vinicius, Zuraw, Tarnat - Yankov, Dabrowski, Balitsch - Ricardo Sousa - Stajner, Hashemian - Coach: Neururer

Goals: 0:1 Yankov (78th, Right shot, assist by Delura)

Substitutions:
70. Koehler for Copado
81. Weissenberger for D.-R. Cha
84. Stroh-Engel for A. Meier
---
46. Brdaric for Ricardo Sousa
75. Delura for Hashemian
83. Troest for Stajner

Referee: Schmidt
Attendance: 26,000
Bookings: Rehmer, Jones - Vinicius, Yankov

Picture: S. Zwing

96 head coch Peter Neururer has announced the following roster for the game against Frankfurt:

Enke, Juric, Cherundolo, Troest, Zuraw, Vinicius, Marheineke,Tarnat, Balitsch, Dabrowski, Dietwald, Yankov, Sousa, Delura, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian, Hahne and Christiansen.

Possible line-ups:

Eintracht Frankfurt: Nikolov –Rehmer, Chris, Vasoski, Reinhard – Jones, Preuß, Koehler, A. Meier – Copado, Amanatidis

Hannover 96: Enke – Cherundolo, Vinicius (Dabrowski), Zuraw (Troest), Tarnat – Yankov, Balitsch, Dabrowski (Sousa) – Stajner, Hashemian, Brdaric

Referee: Dr. Jochen Drees (Mainz)

Hannover 96 defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Hamburg and tomorrow`s game against Frankfurt:

"Tommorow's opponent is a team full of team players, who are willing to fight for 90 minutes and to do whatever it takes to win ..."

www.Cherundolo.de

Hannover 96 vs Hamburger SV
12 : 17 shots at goal
1 : 10 corners
8 : 17 crosses
46% : 54% ball possesions
53% : 47% +challenges
16 : 17 fouls
1 : 5 offsides

Most shots at goal:
96: H. Balitsch, V. Hashemian, T. Brdaric, J. Stajner (2 each)
Hamburg: P. Trochowski (5)

Most setups:
96: J. Stajner (6)
Hamburg: D. Jarolim (5)

Most ball possesions:
96: Vinicius, J. Stajner (63)
Hamburg: T. Atouba (94)

Most won challenges:
96: Vinicius (79%)
Hamburg: D. van Buyten (76%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Hamburg are well-liked visitors to Hannover's AWD-Arena. Seventh time in a row the Blue-Whites cannot manage a victory over Hannover 96. Peter Neururer's Reds win after a gripping second half 2-1 (0-0). Polish defender Dariusz Zuraw put Hannover ahead with a slap-bang header (48min), Iranian striker Vahid Hashemian adding to the score with his dream goal from 17 metres (72min, picture). The hosts secure the result, with Sergej Barbarez only managing a runner-up goal for Hamburg (81min).

Like last Sunday, head coach Peter Neururer replaced injured wing-back Steven Cherundolo with Danish transfer Jonas Troest. Neururer banned Thomas Brdaric and Michael Delura to the bench, and included Ricardo Sousa and Chavdar Yankov in the new 4-4-2 system. Hamburg's coach Thomas Doll favoured Thimothee Atouba, just returned from the Africa Cup, and Stefan Beinlich over Naohiro Takahara.

Hamburg gets off to the better start and seize the initiative right from the beginning. But apart from a few corner kicks and an opportunity for new Brazilian striker star Ailton, play is choked by the Reds' dense defence. A bitter moment for Hamburg when Hanno Balitsch involuntarily collides with Ailton, leaving the Brazilian injured with a broken jaw. The Reds show too much respect and ingenious play is suspended for most of the first half. Only Yankov creates a minor opportunity with his shot from half-right position and 19 metres, missing the left post (42min). Japanese star-striker Takahara, substituted for ill-fated Ailton, misses the left post from 14 metres in the game's last minute.

Halftime 0-0

Head coach Neururer must have had a few words with his players in the interval. The hosts create opportunities, gaining composure by the minute. Jiri Stajner's shot from Michael Tarnat's throw-in is deflected to a corner by an opposing defender (47min). Converting the corner himself, Stajner lobs the ball to defender Dariusz Zuraw, waiting at the far post. Left alone by his marker Barbarez, the Pole nods the ball into the net, scoring his first goal of the season for Hannover (48min).

The Reds rely on counter-attacking, nipping any hostile attempts in the bud. Christoph Dabrowski's deflecting header in his own box reaches Jiri Stajner, who helps the ball on to the right to Chavdar Yankow, who in turn kicks a long cross to Vahid Hashemian on the other side of the pitch. The Iranian striker outruns Mahdavikia, fools substitute Benjamin Lauth, and drills the ball into the far-right corner of the net with his bouncing shot from 19 metres (photo). A perfect dream goal!

Substitute Thomas Brdaric misses the decisive opportunity when his jumping header from Stajner's left cross goes amiss (79min). The away team seem to have a comeback after Barbarez' point-blank goal from Jarolim's right cross (81min), and Hamburg starts attacking fiercely. Dramatic scenes in the 83rd minute, when Hannover's keeper Robert Enke makes one of his very few mistakes, failing to intercept Mahdavikia's cross. But he redeems himself parrying the resulting attempt by Atouba. Hamburg continue attacking, but Hannover secure the result, with young gun Hendrik Hahne missing goal only by inches with a pivoting shot.

After a weak first half the Reds had their waking-up call in the interval, starting into the second half with goals from Zuraw's header and Hashemian's dream shot. With a pinch of luck and a lot of skill Hannover defended the result even after Hamburg coming back from behind. The reason for success is the perfectly tuned defense line. Whereas the Reds are able to look up to the higher regions of the table, Hamburg has to accept a double blow in their fight for Champions League placement, with transfer striker Ailton badly injured, rendered useless for six to eight weeks.

Hannover 96: Enke - Troest, Vinicius, Zuraw, Tarnat - Yankov, Balitsch, Dabrowski - Ricardo Sousa - Stajner, Hashemian - Coach: Neururer

Hamburger SV: Waechter - Mahdavikia, Boulahrouz, van Buyten, Atouba - de Jong - Jarolim, Beinlich - Trochowski - Barbarez, Ailton - Coach: Doll

Goals:
1:0 Zuraw (48., Header, assist by Stajner)
2:0 Hashemian (72., right shot, assist by Yankov)
2:1 Barbarez (81., Header, assist by Jarolim)

Substitutions:
62. Brdaric for Ricardo Sousa
82. Delura for Hashemian
87. Hahne for Yankov

29. Takahara for Ailton
64. Lauth for Beinlich

Referee: Kircher
Attendance: 40,053
Bookings: de Jong, Lauth

Hannover 96 defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Nuremberg and his injury:

"The results of todays MRI were positive and showed that my injury is healing which is a huge relief. ..."


www.Cherundolo.de

K`lautern - Cologne 2:2
Dortmund - Duisburg 2:0
Mainz - Bielefeld 1:1
Hertha - Bayern 0:0

Team doctor Wego Kregehr confirmed today, that the US defender Steven Cherundolo has to sit out again due to concussion. Jonas Troest will take his position who gave his debut for 96 last Sunday against Nuremberg. Steve will be back on the field on Saturday when Frankfurt will host The Reds.

Jiri Stajner and sub-goalkeeper Frank Juric have signed a new contract which will keep them both at the club until the summer of 2008. Czech striker Stajner who came 2002 from Liberec to The Reds has been shown in action at 97 Bundesliga matches (17 goals). Frank Juric is on the 96-payrole since summer 2004. We are looking forward seeing both for two more years in the 96-dress.


Jiri Stajner

Born: 05/27/1976
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 82 Kg
Former clubs: Sparta Prag, Slovan Liberec, FK Most, FK Lounovice, Ceske Budejovice, Slavia Prag, TJ Senohraby
BL-matches: 97
BL-goals: 7



Frank Juric

Born: 10/28/1973
Height: 196 cm
Weight: 95 Kg
Former clubs: Bayer Leverkusen, Fortuna Duesseldorf, Collingwood Warriors, Melbourne Knights
BL-matches: 11
BL-Goals: -

Hannover 96 vs 1. FC Nuremberg
11 : 18 shots at goal
2 : 2 corners
14 : 12 crosses
47% : 53% ball possesions
47% : 53% +challenges
16 : 20 fouls
4 : 5 offsides

Most shots at goal:
96: T. Brdaric (3)
Nuremberg: I. Banovic, R. Vittek (4 each)

Most setups:
96: Vinicius, J. Troest, M. Tarnat, V. Hashemian (2 each)
Nuremberg: S. Kiessling (5)

Most ball possesions:
96: H. Balitsch (62)
Nuremberg: J. Pinola (69)

Most won challenges:
96: M. Tarnat (73%)
Nuremberg: M. Nikl (74%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Hannover was spared a home defeat in a unexciting fixture and after a tedious first half against the visitors from Nuremberg. The away team went ahead with Robert Vittek's goal (56min), but it was Czech Jiri Stajner who saved the Red's bacon and one point with a forceful header (74min). Peter Neururer's record stands: the head coach's team remains unbeaten since he took over from Ewald Lienen.

Both teams struggled with injury problems. Neururer had to make do without Altin Lala (fifth yellow suspension) and American defender Steven Cherundolo (concussion). Danish transfer Jonas Troest had his debut on Cherundolo's position, Chavdar Yankov looking on from the bench. Nuremberg started off with Kiessling for injured Marek Mintal, and with Pinola and Schroth for the brothers Lars und Sven Mueller.

The home crowd watched a promising start to the match. Robert Enke denies Kiessling's distance effort (3min), Saenko's cross finding no taker only 3 minutes later. The Reds answer with Thomas Brdaric missing Hanno Balitsch's cross by inches (8min). Both teams settle in their defensive formation, with only dead ball kicks providing some action. Hannover's Polish defender Dariusz Zuraw tries to convert Michael Tarnat's corner with a header from five metres, but hits the crossbar (17min). Croatian Ivica Banovic misses the left post with a hammer free kick from 26 metres. Nuremberg increases pressure on the Reds, and on-goal action is sparse. The only spark of life being Banovic's distance effort from 23 metres, but the match loses all momentum after that and peters out into the break.

Half time 0-0

The Reds should have been warned by Nikl's header shortly after the interval that Hanno Balitsch only just clears. But Hannover stick with tardy play, and the guest go one up with Robert Vittek's point blank conversion from Kie§ling's misplaced shot on goal. Peter Neururer finally reacts and sends on key player Portuguese Ricardo Sousa, moving Jiri Stajner to Michael Delura's forward position. Stajner's change improves play, and he tests Schaefer with a sharp shot from the right (69min), and a cross to Vahid Hashemian that the Nuremberg keeper only just intercepts. Michael Tarnat's header from Vinicius' cross misses the left post (72min), but it is Jiri Stajner two minutes later who saves the day. Ricardo Sousa sends a precise free kick from the right into the box, and Stajner converts unmarked with a deadly header from ten metres.

Nuremberg's Banovic misses goal with a free kick from 18 metres, and Hannover loses all creativity in play trying to fool the away team's defense with long balls. Stajner misses the last opportunity of the match, when his lob from a tight left angle flies past goal.

With their eleventh draw Hannover miss the chance to settle in the higher echelons of the table. Peter Neururer remains unbeaten, and Hannover says "Thank you" to striker Jiri Stajner, who just extended his contract with the Reds until 2008.

Hannover 96: Enke - Troest, Vinicius, Zuraw, Tarnat - Balitsch, Dabrowski - Stajner - Delura, Hashemian, Brdaric - Coach: Neururer

1. FC Nuremberg: R. Schaefer - D. Reinhardt, A. Wolf, Nikl, Pinola - Polak - Saenko, Kießling, Banovic - Schroth, Vittek - Coach: Meyer

Goals:
0:1 Vittek (56., left shot, Assist by Kießling)
1:1 Stajner (74., header, Assist by Ricardo Sousa)

Substitutions:
58. Ricardo Sousa for Delura
82. Christiansen for Brdaric

76. L. Mueller for Pinola
76. Kristiansen for Vittek
81. S. Mueller for Banovic

Referee: Drees, Dr.
Attendance: 31,102
Bookings: Banovic, Kießling

The upcoming "englisch week" will show where Hannover is heading. "It is very important for us. If we're achieving seven points out of the following three games you can easily imagine where we would find us in the table." so 96-head coach Peter Neururer.

On Sunday The Reds host Nuremberg where 96 can achieve the first 3 points. On Wednesday Hannover will host Hamburger SV and will travel to Frankfurt on Saturday.

After the collision of US defender Steven Cherundolo with Gilberto during the last match against Berlin, the American has to sit out due to injury. Peter Neururer will probably change the formation from 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 system, with new signing Jonas Troest giving his debut on Steve's position.

Possible line-ups:

Hannover 96: Enke – Troest, Vinicius, Zuraw - Balitsch, Lala, Tarnat, Stajner – Delura, Hashemian, Brdaric

1. FC Nuremberg: Schaefer - Reinhardt, Wolf, Nikl, L. Mueller (Pinola) - Polak, Kristiansen, Kießling, Banovic - Vittek, Saenko

Referee: Dr. Jochen Drees (Mainz)

Bayern - Leverkusen 1:0
Schalke - Dortmund 0:0
Frankfurt - Hertha 1:1
Duisburg - Lautern 2:2
Cologne - Stuttgart 0:0
Bremen - Mainz 4:2
Hamburg - Bielefeld 2:1

No position has changed, Hannover stays on the 9th in the standings!