Bundesliga action
October 25, 2009
It took a last-minute Kevin Kuranyi goal to rescue a point for Schalke in a 3-3 thriller against SV Hamburg at home.
Striker Marcus Berg opened the scoring for the visitors on 26 minutes after midfielder Eljero Elia darted down the flanks and into the penalty area before squaring, allowing the Swede to drill his shot home from eight meters out.
The lead was doubled by Piotr Trochowski moments before halftime from a well taken free kick from 30 meters out.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, Schalke was first to strike through a Kuranyi goal in the 50th minute bringing the score to 2-1. Schalke's odds improved substantially when Hamburg defender David Rozehnal earned a straight red for bringing down the former Germany striker Kuranyi whilst he was through on goal.
Midfielder Lukas Schmitz headed home from the resulting free-kick to equalize for Schalke on 62 minutes.
Hamburg had looked to have survived the red card when Marcus Berg made it 3-2 for the visitors 10 minutes from time, but Kuranyi rose at the far post in the 90th minute to draw the scores level once again.
Bremen into third
The result leaves Bayer Leverkusen, who were held 1-1 at home by Borussia Dortmund on Friday, top of the table, level on 22 points with Hamburg.
Werder Bremen meanwhile leapfrogged Schalke into third place on 21 points after a 4-1 win at Bochum.
The day got off to a horrendous start for Bremen when Thomas Schaaf's men conceded inside the first minute of play thanks to three intelligent touches from Bochum striker Stanislav Sestak - the fastest goal this season.
But Bremen fought back with goals from Aaron Hunt, Marko Marin, Tim Borowski and Mesut Oezil - two goals scored either side of halftime.
Earlier Sunday, Bundesliga cellar dwellers Hertha Berlin earned their first league point since the opening day of the season when they held defending German champions Wolfsburg to a goalless draw at home.
"That was a very important point for us," said Berlin captain Arne Friedrich. "We are on the right path now, but we have to keep working and it was important to not concede any goals."
Bayern Munich rounds off the Bundesliga top five with 18 points.
dfm/dpa/AFP
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar