Europa League

The German capital's struggling soccer team managed to break the habit of the season Thursday evening by beating Dutch team Heerenveen away from home. A last minute goal by Artur Wichniarek gave them a 3-2 victory after trailing 2-1 at half time.

The familiar sight of Berlin's catastrophic defending gave the hosts the early advantage, when Michal Papadopulos, formerly of Leverkusen and Cottbus, scored in the 4th and 36th minutes. But Berlin's young Bulgarian striker Valeri Domovchiyski answered with two goals of his own - the second coming early in the second half to level the score.

Both Domovchiyski's goals were set up by Wichniarek, a striker badly in need of a good night after Berlin's long goal dearth had been partly laid at his feet. But it was Wichniarek who scored the winner in injury time, giving his team their first win in ten weeks.

"The team always believed in itself, took risks, and got its reward in the end," said a relieved Friedhelm Funkel after the game. The Hertha coach took over the beleaguered club, still last in the Bundesliga, a month ago.

Berlin now have four points in the Europa League's Group D, putting them in second place behind Sporting Lisbon and giving them every chance of progressing in Europe's second-tier competition.

Bremen limp home

Werder Bremen nearly embarrassed themselves at home to group L whipping boys Austria Vienna, but two late goals gave them the victory they needed to ensure qualification to the next round.

Werder disappointed fans eager to see them make fools of hapless Vienna. Instead, the team struggled to produce the slick game that has put them on top of their group, second in the Bundesliga, and had led them to 17 games without defeat in all competitions.

It took a world class display from their goalkeeper Tim Wiese to keep that record going, after Vienna came close on several occasions. "There were a few scenes I didn't like at all," said Bremen's manager Thomas Schaaf, reflecting on a game in which the Austrians had arguably the better chances.

But goals by Tim Borowski and Hugo Almeida in the last ten minutes finally buried the pugnacious visitors, and a draw between group rivals Athletic Bilbao and Portuguese club Nacional ensured that Werder made it to the next stage.

Hamburg can't get past Celtic

Hamburg continued their recent slump in form when their injury-ravaged team managed only a goalless draw at home to Celtic Glasgow. After a rampant opening in the Bundesliga, Hamburg have now slipped to third place, and this Europa League display in front of 45,000 deafening supporters did little to hint at a return to form.

"You have to pay the team a compliment," offered Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia, "The situation was not easy, but they found their way into the game." Labbadia also pointed to the club's lengthening injury list in mitigation.

Hamburg now have to hold off Rapid Vienna in their next home game to get through. Rapid are lurking three points behind them in Group C, and will go into the game in Hamburg's Nordbank Arena with confidence, having already beaten Labbadia's men 3:0 in Austria.


bk/dpa/SID
Editor: Andreas Illmer