Bundesliga Matchday 23 Preview: The battle for Europe shapes

Matchday 23 will further define contenders for European spots, both for the Champions League and Euro League.  Results this weekend will shape the upcoming battles in the remainder of the season. Gladbach needs a win to maintain contact with the top five.

While Bayern is in their  second runaway season, well ahead of any opponents, Leverkusen, Dortmund, Schalke and VFL Wolfsburg are still serious challengers for a Champions League spot.  Bayern and Dortmund won the first leg of the Group of 16 and should qualify for the quarter finals in this year's Champions League season.  For both Leverkusen and Schalke this season in the Champions League should end after the second leg.

When Hertha BSC Berlin hosts Freiburg on Friday, the side has the opportunity to slip ahead of Wolfsburg with a home victory.  On Saturday Bayern Muenchen hosts Schalke 04 and will strive to remain undefeated.  Schalke, which played Real Madrid midweek, demonstrated some real deficiencies when playing against the truly great clubs in Europe. The club, at least on Thursday, lacked  precision in passing and a definite weakness in defence, which was easily exploided by Madrid.  Bayern will have taken note.  Bayern knows that Schalke will come out fighting after the midweek disaster and is prepared to continue its winning streak. A victory with a one or two goal margin will do to increase their undefeated running total.

Second place Leverkusen welcomes Mainz 05.  Mainz has had good season to this point and has the ability to win in Leverkusen.   Kiessling and company need to pull up their socks and change their attitude if they are to remain ahead of Dortmund.  This is a difficult match to call because of Leverkusen's inconsistency from week to week.

Dortmund hosts Nuernberg, a side that has recently started a  come back and has now moved up to 12th spot on the table.  Dortmund's performance in St. Petersburg showed that the club has some spark back, at least in the Champions League.  Can this be converted to the domestic league?

Gladbach has an opportunity to close on Wolfsburg with a win over Braunschweig.  On paper this should not be a difficult task for Gladbach.  Only three points separate Hamburg and Bremen when the two northern most clubs tangle in Bremen.  For Hamburg a win is important to finally move out of the relegation zone, while a home win for  Bremen should give the club some breathing space.

When Augsburg hosts Hannover, the Bavarian side has an opportunity to close into a Euro League spot.  Hannover, at least for the time being is too far removed to be a hopeful for Europe. On Sunday Wolfsburg travels to Hoffenheim and the Wolves have a great opportunity to move into a Champions League spot ahead of Schalke.   Hoffenheim has an opportunity in Sinsheim to further distance itself from the relegation zone.  A European spot for this season seems no longer possible.

The final match on Sunday features Eintracht Frankfurt against VFB Stuttgart.  Frankfurt took a devastating blow in Euro  League play on Thursday against FC Porto.  After an away draw of 2-2 and an early lead in the return leg, Frankfurt had to settle for a 3-3 tie at home and elimination from the Euro League.  The Hessen will want to redeem themselves against the Schwaben.

As the league moves into the final third of the season, the competition for European spots and relegation will continue to energize fans, despite Bayern's enormous lead.  Sit back and enjoy, there is a lot to be decided yet.




28 February

Hertha BSC vs SC Freiburg  0-0

1 March
       
FC Augsburg vs Hannover 96    1-1   
Borussia Dortmund vs 1. FC Nürnberg     3-0  
Bayer Leverkusen vs FSV Mainz 05     0-1  
Werder Bremen vs Hamburger SV  1-0     
Eintr. Braunschweig vs Bor. Mönchengladbach   1-1    
Bayern München vs Schalke 04 5-1

2 March
   
1899 Hoffenheim vs VfL Wolfsburg       
Eintracht Frankfurt vs VfB Stuttgart   

Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points

1      FC Bayern         23    21   2    0       66:10        65
2      Dortmund         23    14   3    6       54:27       45
3      Leverkusen       23    14   1    8       39:26       43
4      Schalke             23    12   5    6       42:35       41
5      Wolfsburg         22    12   3    7       38:26       39
6      Mainz                23   11   4    8       32:35       37  
7      M'gladbach       23    10   6    7       40:29       36
8      Hertha BSC      23    10   5    8       34:27       35
9      Augsburg          23   10   5    8       35:33       35
10    Hoffenheim       22     6   8    8       46:46       26
11    Bremen              23     6   7  10      26:46        25
12    Hannover           23     7   4  12       30:42       25
13    Nürnberg           23      4 11   8       27:40        23
14    Frankfurt           22      4  7  10      24:38        22 
15    Stuttgart            22      5   4  13     34:47        19
16    Hamburg           23      5   4  14     38:52        19 
17    Freiburg            23      4   7  12      22:44       19
18    B'schweig         23      4    4  15     17:42        16

Bundesliga Matchday 22 Roundup: Bayern extends commanding lead to 19 points

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With goals by Thomas Mueller  (26th) and Thiao (34th minute), both assisted by Bastian Schweinsteiger,  Bayern took a 2-0 halftime lead.  Thomas Mueller added a second for a 3-0 lead in the second frame.  If Bastian Schweinsteiger is back in form, as it appeared, during this match, Champions League look out.  Frankfurt and Bremen only managed a 0-0 tie against Bremen, despite a man advantage due to a red card.  Dortmund and Leverkusen, both lost on Saturday, extending Bayern's lead to 19 points, over its closest competitors.  Schalke closed up to Dortmund and Leverkusen, in fourth spot. Dortmund and Schalke compete in Champions League play midweek. 

Bayern had to wait all weekend, in all likelihood with pleasure, as Dortmund and Leverkusen dropped their matches.  Bayern held its 16 point spread over its closest contenders, while the race for the European spots tightened.  Schalke and Dortmund will be playing midweek against Real Madrid and St. Petersburg in the Champions League.  Winning these matches will be a difficult task for both sides. 

 Schalke 04 vs Mainz 05  0-0    

Schalke 04, with a home team advantage, missed the opportunity to move ahead of Dortmund into third place, prior to Saturday`s matches.  Mainz, currently in seventh spot with 34 points played a refreshing and vigorous game. Both sides had ample opportunities to score, but chances were spoiled. Mainz`s first opportunity came with Shinji Okazaki`s volley in the 29th minute, but Schalke's keeper denied the goal with a reflex save.  Just prior to halftime, Jefferson Farfan came close to scoring, but his shot was deflectd just wide of the far post.   Seven minutes into the second half Meyer received a gift from Mainz keeper Loris Karius, but fired the ball directly back at the keeper, where he could have passed to an open Klaas Jan Huntelaar.  Both teams played much better than second placed Leverkusen, which has been in a slump lately.

SC Freiburg vs FC Augsburg 2-4

 SC Augsburg continued its climb toward an Euro League spot by coming away with a 4-2 win in Freiburg.  For Freiburg the situation is critical and the club is in danger of being relegated this year.  The two sides traded goals and Freiburg even took the lead briefly in the 73rd minute with Admir Mehmedi's goal.  Augsburg, a side that never gives up and Peter Verheagh, Halil Altintop and Andre Hahn responded with goals in less than 12 minutes.  With 34 points Augsburg is even with Berlin and Mainz and occupies eighth spot on goal difference.  Freiburg is in 16th spot with only 19 points just ahead of Hamburg on goal difference.

Hamburger SV vs Borussia Dortmund 3-0

Borussia Dortmund dropped another match, this time to 17th placed Hamburger SV.   Hamburg replaced its coach last week and apparently this made a difference for the Hanseaten.  Hamburg, a club with a winning tradition, was hungry and demonstrated that it can take on a Bundesliga giant.  Consequently Petr Jiracek got a goal in the first half to give Hamburg the lead at the half. Michel Lassogga doubled the score in the 58th minute and a 40 yard free kick by Hakan Calhanoglu surprised Dortmund's keeper in the 87th minute for a 3-0 victory.  Dortmund remains in third spot, while Hamburg;s relative position on the table has not changed either, but the win is a  good start to a recovery and was definitely a morale booster for Northern Germans.

VFB Stuttgart vs Hertha BSC Berlin 1-2

Stuttgart continues to perform under expectation and had to take another home pitch defeat and this time from Berlin.  Berlin scored early with a goal by Levan Kobiashvili in the 5th minute, but the Schwaben equalized for Stuttgart.  Wagner, with his goal in the 87th minute put the visitors ahead and this was enough to carry through the 90 minutes.  Stuttgart is ending this matchday in 15th spot, while Berlin is in 7th spot.

Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Hoffenheim 2-2

Gladbach split with Hoffenheim, but maintained its sixth spot on the table. For Hoffenheim it was a rare comeback as Gladbach moved ahead two goals in the first 18 minutes.  Patrick Hermann put Gladbach ahead in the fourth minute and Tony Jantschke doubled to take a 2-0 first half lead. In true fashion of the Sinsheim side, Robert Firmino, Sejad Salihovic and Kevin Volland continued the pressure on Gladbach and in the end it paid off with goals in the 56th minute and 82nd minute on goals by Salihovic and Volland.  Hoffenheim occupies tenth spot. 

FC Nuernberg vs Eintracht Braunschweig  2-1

Eintracht Braunschweig took the lead in the 24th minute on a goal by Domi Kumbela.  Despite playing short handed on a red card from the 32nd minute, Nuernberg bounced back in the second half on goals by Hiorshi Kiyontake (46th) and Thomas Pekhart (47th) and won an important three points.  For Braunschweig, despite its overwhelming shot on goal superiority (20-7), the loss leaves the club in 18th spot, with a  difficulty task to avoid relegation.  Nuernberg moved into 12th spot.

VFL Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 

Leverkusen dropped another match after a disastrous midweek performance against PSG St. Germaine.  It was fortunate that their rival for the second spot, Dortmund also dropped their game.  While Sidney Sam equalized for Leverkusen just prior to the half, Luiz Gustavo and Ricardo Rodriguez fired two unanswered goals in the second half.  Wolfsburg's win leaves the Wolves just two points behind fourth placed Schalke.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen 0-0

Despite a one man advantage, after Felix Kroos' send off in the 34th minute, Frankurt was unable to put a finishing touch on the game.  Frankfurt dominated through out the match.  Despite a few sure chances, one when Joselu should have scored, he was denied on a one on one with Bremen's keeper Raphael Wolf.   Alexander Meier missed another opportunity when his free kick just grazed the outside post.  Both Frankfurt and Bremen remain in 13th and 14th spot respectively with 22 points.

Hannover 96 vs Bayern Muenchen

Thomas Mueller  (26th) and Thiago (34th minute) , both assisted by Bastian Schweinsteiger, scored the openers for Bayers to take  a 2-0 halftime lead.  Thomas Mueller added a second for a 3-0 lead, followed by Mandzukic's 4-0 in the second frame.  Bastian Schweinsteiger apppears to be back in form and his experience and skill are welcome addition to the Bayern midfield.  Bayern extends its lead to 19 points over Leverkusen and with only 12 games remaining, it will be a formidable obstacle to overcome for any opponents. Hannover 96 is in 11th spot.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/02/21/6178910/schalke-held-0-0-at-home-by-mainz.html#storylink=cp

Friday February 21

Schalke 04 -     FSV Mainz 05   0-0

Saturday February 22
   
Bor. Mönchengladbach vs 1899 Hoffenheim    2-2   
SC Freiburg vs FC Augsburg       2-4
1. FC Nürnberg vs Eintr. Braunschweig   2-1
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Dortmund     3-0  
VfB Stuttgart vs Hertha BSC       1-2
VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen   3-1

Sunday 23 February
   
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen    0-0
Hannover 96 vs Bayern München   4-0

Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        22    20   2    0       61:9         62
2      Leverkusen       22   14   1    7        39:25       43
3      Dortmund         22   13   3    6        51:27       42
4      Schalke             22    12   5    5       41:30       41
5      Wolfsburg         22    12   3    7       38:26       39
6      M'gladbach       22    10   5    7       39:28       35
7      Hertha BSC       22   10   4    8       34:27       34
8      Augsburg           22   10   4    8       34:32       34 
9      Mainz                22   10   4    8       31:35       34  
10    Hoffenheim       22     6   8    8       46:46       26
11    Hannover           22     7   3  12       29:41       24
12    Nürnberg            22     4 11   7       27:37        23
13    Frankfurt            22      4  7  10      24:38        22  
14    Bremen              22      5   7  10     25:46        22
15    Stuttgart             22      5   4  13     34:47        19
16    Hamburg            22      5   4  13     38:51        19  
17    Freiburg             22      4   6  12      22:44       18
18    B'schweig          22      4    3  15     16:41        15

Bundesliga Matchday 22 Preview: Bayern on runaway, Leverkusen disappoints

As this week's Matchday 22 gets underway, FC Bayern Munich has a formidable lead over the remainder of the league.  With Leverkusen's disappointing performance in Champions League play against Paris St. Germaine, the question of the quality of Bundesliga clubs once again comes under fire.

While Bayern won its match in London against the Gunners, it wasn't without controversy.  The red card, which was appropriate under the circumstances, left Arsenal short handed for most of the 90 minutes.  Two wasted penalty kicks, one by David Alaba that hit the goal post and another by Mesut Oezel, testing his childhood friend Manuel Neuer was not consequent enough.  The long standing rivalry between German and English teams is always filled with emotions, controversy and allegations.  In the end it was a 90 minutes of football and one team emerged as the winner.

Despite Eintracht Frankfurt's mediocre record in the Bundesliga this season, the side managed a 2-2 draw with FC Porto in Euro League play.   During the upcoming week, Dortmund plays St. Petersburg, while Schalke 04 has the thankless task of getting a good result against Real Madrid.

Schalke host Mainz 05 in the matchday opener this evening. Mainz has recently moved into seventh spot and the side still has aspirations for a Euro League spot for next season.  Schalke is closing up on Dortmund and Leverkusen and a win could move the Knappen that much closer. Today's match should be a spectator's delight with both team's aspiration. Schalke should win with home advantage.

Leverkusen will be in Wolfsburg hoping for an away win and solidifying its second place spot.  For Wolfsburg there is a good opportunity to capture a berth in the Champions League.  With Leverkusen's recent performance Wolfsburg has a good opportunity of winning this match.

Dortmund travels north to Hamburg and this should be an easy win for the Borussen.  A win would certainly be a good moral booster prior to the trip to St. Petersburg next week. For Hamburg, currently in 17th spot, just one point ahead of tailgate Braunschweig, it is a do or die match.  Last week Hamburg fired its coach and this may not have been enough time for a new coach to turn the club around.

Saturday is rounded out by matches between Nuernberg and Braunschweig and Stuttgart hosting  Berlin.  Both Stuttgart and Nuernberg are barely out of the relegation zone and need a win. Berlin gave up three points at home last weekend and has slipped into eighth spot.  The newly promoted side still has aspirations of a Euro League spot, but remaining in the Bundesliga was the club's first goal.

On Sunday FC Bayern travels to Hannover and this should be an easy match for the Bavarians.  Frankfurt hosts Bremen with both sides under pressure to perform.  Will Frankfurt have the advantage of the home match?

As the league moves toward the final stretch, it certainly appears that FC Bayern can't be pushed off another league championship.  Can Leverkusen remain in second spot with Dortmund and Schalke threatening?  Those questions will be answered in the weeks to come. There is a definite relegation battle developing, as is the fight for a Euro League spot.  Regardless of the outcomes this weekend, the fans should be thoroughly entertained.


Friday February 21

Schalke 04 -     FSV Mainz 05   0-0

Saturday February 22
   
Bor. Mönchengladbach vs 1899 Hoffenheim       
SC Freiburg vs FC Augsburg       
1. FC Nürnberg vs Eintr. Braunschweig   
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Dortmund       
VfB Stuttgart vs Hertha BSC       
VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen   

Sunday 23 February
   
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen       
Hannover 96 vs Bayern München   

Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        21    19   2    0       53:9         59
2      Leverkusen       21   14   1    6        38:22       43
3      Dortmund         21   13   3    5        51:24       42
4      Schalke             22    12   5    5       41:28       41
5      Wolfsburg         21    11   3    7       35:25       36
6      M'gladbach       21    10   4    7       37:26       34
7      Mainz                22   10   4    8       31:36       34  
8      Hertha BSC       21     9   4    8       32:25       31
9      Augsburg           21     9   4    8       30:30       31
10     Hoffenheim       21     6    7   8      44:44        26
11    Hannover           21      7    3 11      29:37        24
12    Bremen               21     5    6  10     25:46        21
13    Frankfurt            21      4    6  10    24:38        21
14    Nürnberg            21      3   11   7    25:36        20
15    Stuttgart             21      5     4  12   33:43        19
16    Freiburg             21      4     7  11   20:40        19
17    Hamburg            21      4    4   13  35:51         16 
18    B'schweig           21      4    3  14  15:39         15

Bundesliga Matchday 21 Roundup: Bayern leads by 16, Schalke closes gap

Bayern took a 16 point lead after a 4-0 win over SC Freiburg.  Leverkusen dropped three points to Schalke 04, while Dortmund defeated Frankfurt 4-2.  Schalke close up within two points to third placed Dortmund, which now trails Leverkusen by one point.  The top of the remainder of the field is six points behind Schalke.

Eintracht Braunschweig won it's fourth match of the season and the 4-2 win over Hamburger SV leaves Braunschweig just one point behind the Hanseaten.  Nuernberg remains in the relegation playoff spot, while Stuttgart and Freiburg are clear of relegation by just two points.  Stuttgart dropped its match 4-1 to Hoffenheim.

While Leverkusen, Dortmund and Schalke have widened the gap to the rest of the field, Champions League spots for next season are still very much up for grabs. 

Mainz 05 vs Hannover 96   2-0


The Matchday 21 opener will certainly not go down as one of the classics, but Mainz did enough to move into seventh spot temporarily.  Sunday's encounter between Berlin and Wolfsburg has become even more important now.  After an uninspiring first half, with little help of Hannover, there was room to raise the quality of the game to another level.  Shortly after play resumed in the second 45, when Nicolai Mueller broke for a counter and pass to split Andre Hoffman and Marcelo. For attacking midfielder Malli, who moved forward with Mueller it was a piece of cake to net the ball for Mainz's 1-0 lead.  Chipo Mouting extended the Mainz lead in the 85th minute and assured a home win Mainz.  Hannover, currently in tenth spot, pending the results of the remaining games, is only seven points removed from a relegation spot. Gladbach, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Berlin and Augsburg are in a contention for a Euro League spot.  Gladbach, Wolfsburg and Mainz can still get to an automatic Champions League spot, but not without the help of the clubs ahead of them.

FCB Bayern Muenchen vs SC Freiburg 4-0

Bayern continued its undefeated roll to 46 games and is moving easily towards another title in the Bundesliga.  Some of the starting side sat on the bench to rest for the upcoming match against Arsenal. Dante scored the opener in the 19th minute and Xherdan Shaqiri followed with two more in the 34th and 42nd minute.  Claudio Pizzaro scored the final goal in the 88th minute. 

Eintracht Braunschweig vs Hamburger SV 4-2

Hamburg took the lead with Marcel Jansen's header in the 23rd minute and that was it until halftime.  Domi Kombela came in as substitute after 45 and scored the equalizer in the 51st minute and scored the lead on a freekick pass in the 61st.  Ivo Ilesivic scored the equalizer in the 75th, but Kombela completed his hattrick in the 85th, while Jan Hochscheidt fired the fourth for Braunschweig during extra time.  Braunscheig remains at the bottom of the league one point behind Hamburg.

Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0

Frankfurt started the match strong, but it only lasted five minutes, before Dortmund took charge of the pitch.  Aubameyang fired on all cylinders when he scored his 12th and 13th Bundeliga goal.  A penalty kick executed by Robert Lewandowski in the 47th minute made it three, while newly acquired Milos Jovic made it four in the 67th for last years vice champion.   The win closes Dortmund to within one point of second place Leverkusen, while Frankfurt continues to struggle in 13th spot.

Werder Bremen vs Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-1

A victory was once again elusive for struggling Bremen.  At least the Hanseaten managed a tie.  Despite a game full of scoring opportunities in the end an early goal by Gladbach's Raffael in the sixth minute earned a point for the Borussen.  Bremen with a bit of luck managed a tie in the 88th minute for Bremen.  While Gladbach played a fluent passing game, too often the completion in the middle failed.  Obraniak scored the equalizer.  The draw leaves the Foals in sixth spot, while Bremen is in the 12th.

Hoffenheim vs VFB Stuttgart  4-1

Hoffenheim rolled over a  weak Stuttgart side and delivered Stuttgarts sixth consecutive defeat.  Sven Schipplock completed a double pack in the 12th and 66th minute, Kevin Volland scored in the 49th and Robert Firmino completed the scoring for the Sinsheim side.  Antonio Ruediger scored Stuttgarts only goal in the 78th minute.  The win moves Hoffenheim into the tenth spot, while Stuttgart has to settle for 14th.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Schalke 04  1-2

Schalke continued its climb in the Bundesliga with a deserved victory over second place Bayer Leverkusen.  After losing its DFB Cup game midweek against Kaiserslautern, Leverkusen failed to keep Schalke in check.  After a scrappy first half which Schalke lead with a goal by Leon Goretzka in the 28th minute, Leverkusen played a little more organized in the second 45.  An own goal compliments of Felipe Sanatana, narrow the score for Leverkusen.  Despite all efforts, even during the three minutes injury time, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar`s goal in the 78th minute ensured the success of the Knappen.  Schalke moved within two points of Dortmund and three of Leverkusen.  Leverkusen has increased the gap to first placed Bayern to  16 points.

FC Augsburg vs 1. FC Nuernberg  0-1

Nuernberg won its third match of the season and delivered a blow to Augsburg`s climb toward a Euro League position.  The win moved Nuernberg away from the relegation zone, but only by one point. Augsburg, undefeated in eight previous matches, had the streak broken when Josip Dmric scrored his 11th counter of the season in the 65th minute.  The home pitch loss, while delivering a blow to Augsburg, has not stopped the quest for a Euro League spot.  Currently in ninth spot, the Bavarians are only two points removed from sixth spot.

Hertha BSC Berlin vs VFL Wolfsburg 1-2

Wolfsburg has taken a huge step in the direction of Europe League qualification.  Despite trailing in the game for 37 minutes the factory team manage a 2-1 victory against a direct competitor.  Four days after qualifying for the semi-final of the DFB Cup, the wolves celebrated another important victory.
Per Skjelbred scroed the lead for Berlin in the 21st minute.   Robin Knoche got the equalizer for Wolfsburg in the 58th minute and Calibiuri, substituted eight minutes earlier, fired the winning goal for the wolves.  The battle for a Euro League spot is getting interesting.

Friday 14 February

FSV Mainz 05 vs Hannover 96   2-0

Saturday 15 Februrary

Bayern München vs SC Freiburg       4-0
Eintr. Braunschweig vs Hamburger SV       4-2
Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt    4-0   
Werder Bremen vs Bor. Mönchengladbach    1-1   
1899 Hoffenheim vs VfB Stuttgart     4-1  
Bayer Leverkusen vs Schalke 04  1-2

Sunday 16 February 

FC Augsburg vs 1. FC Nürnberg      0-1
Hertha BSC vs VfL Wolfsburg     1-2

Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        21    19   2    0       53:9         59
2      Leverkusen       21   14   1    6        38:22       43
3      Dortmund         21   13   3    5        51:24       42
4      Schalke             21    12   4    5       41:28       40
5      Wolfsburg         21    11   3    7       35:25       36
6      M'gladbach       21    10   4    7       37:26       34
7      Mainz                21    10   3    8       31:36       33  
8      Hertha BSC       21     9    4    8       32:25       31
9      Augsburg           21     9   4    8       30:30       31
10     Hoffenheim       21     6    7   8      44:44        26
11    Hannover           21      7    3 11      29:37        24
12    Bremen               21     5    6  10     25:46        21
13    Frankfurt            21      4    6  10    24:38        21
14    Nürnberg            21      3   11   7    25:36        20
15    Stuttgart             21      5     4  12   33:43        19
16    Freiburg             21      4     7  11   20:40        19
17    Hamburg            21      4    4   13  35:51         16 
18    B'schweig           21      4    3  14  15:39         15

Bundesliga Matchday 21 Preview: Top Match Leverkusen challenges Schalke

All eyes will be in Leverkusen this week, when Champions League contestants Leverkusen and Schalke meet prior to their respective Champions League matches next week against Paris SG and Real Madrid.  The Knappen have fought back after an early season slump and are currently two points behind third placed Dortmund.  Leverkusen, second in the league, has some wiggle room with their four point lead over the Borussen.  This match is too close to call, but both teams need a confidence win ahead of next week's Champions League competition.

FC Bayern and Dortmund both have home encounters with SC Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.  Both their contenders are just out of the relegation zone and will not make life easy for last year's Champions League finalist.  Whether or not Pep Guardiola and Juergen Klopp will field their top sides ahead of their respective matches against Arsenal and Shaktar next week remains to be seen.

Matchday 21 gets underway on Friday evening when Mainz 05 hosts Hannover 96.  Mainz is currently in ninth spot with Hannover in tenth but six points behind the Pfaelzer club.  The  nod has to go to Mainz at home.

Three of Saturday's matches involve the top four as mentioned above and there is not much to add to their matchups.  In the remaining three matches, Braunschweig host Hamburg.  Both clubs are at the tail of the Bundesliga with only one point separating them.  Both teams desperately need a victory if they are to see any daylight and move out of the relegation zone. Toss a coin on this match, but the odds go to Braunschweig at home.

Bremen hosts fifth placed Gladbach and the Borussen will need a win to hang on to their hope of a Champions League spot.  For Bremen it is also do or die.  The Hanseaten have slipped to 12th spot with only 20 points, which is not too far away from a relegation spot.  Gladbach should win this away match. 

Hoffenheim hosts Stuttgart in Sinsheim.  Stuttgart also desperately needs an away victory, but that may be an unattainable goal in Sinsheim.  Both teams have the ability to defeat the other.  In the end it will boil down to which team makes the most mistakes.

On Sunday two matches are on tab, with the exciting Bayern darby, between FC Augsburg and 1. FC Nuernberg.  Nuernberg demonstrated last weekend that they can be a formidable force when they hosted Bayern Munich.  Augsburg is no pushover either and is currently in spot eight of the league.  On paper Augsburg should win this match, but darbys have a way of making their own rules.

Berlin and Wolfsburg is another match to watch as both clubs continue in their quest for a European League spot.  Berlin definitely has the home advantage.

Matchday 21 definitely has its attractions as the league moves toward completion in May.  With the field, with the exception of Bayern, only separated by a few points, every match counts.  This will be once a gain an exciting matchday.  



Friday 14 February FSV Mainz 05 vs Hannover 96   2-0

Saturday 15 Februrary
 Bayern München vs SC Freiburg       
Eintr. Braunschweig vs Hamburger SV       
Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt       
Werder Bremen vs Bor. Mönchengladbach       
1899 Hoffenheim vs VfB Stuttgart       
Bayer Leverkusen vs Schalke 04

Sunday 16 February
         FC Augsburg vs 1. FC Nürnberg       
Hertha BSC vs VfL Wolfsburg   

Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        20    18   2    0       49:9         56
2      Leverkusen       20   14   1    5        37:20       43
3      Dortmund         20   12   3    5        47:24       39
4      Schalke             20    11   4    5       39:27       37 
5      M'gladbach       20    10   3    7       36:25       33
6      Wolfsburg         20    10   3    7       33:24       33
7      Mainz                21    10   3    8       31:36      33  
8     Hertha BSC       20     9    4    7       31:24       31
9      Augsburg           20     9   4    7       30:29       31
10    Hannover           21     7    3 11      29:37        24
11     Hoffenheim       20     5    7   8      40:43        23
12    Bremen               20    5    5  10     24:45        20
13    Frankfurt            20     4     6    9    24:34        21
14    Stuttgart             20     5    4    11   32:39        19
15    Freiburg             20     4   7    10    20:36        19
16    Nürnberg            20     2    11   7    24:36        17
17    Hamburg            20     4    4   12    33:47        16 
18    B'schweig           20    3     3  14    11:37        12

Bundesliga Matchday 20 Roundup: Top three gain points, relegation teams don't

Matchday 20 saw the top three teams gaining points maintaining their lead over the remainder of the field.  The clubs in relegation spots were unable to decrease the gap out of the relegation zone.  Bayern, Munich and Dortmund won their matches, while Braunschweig, Nuernberg and Hamburg were unsuccessful.  With only 14 matches remaining Bayern Muenchen retained its 13 point lead over Leverkusen and Dortmund and remains undefeated this season.

Moenchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen 0-1

The Bundesliga match opener of Friday evening would see Moenchegladbach host second placed Bayer Leverkusen.  Gladbach, which had lost two consecutive games, had never lost three in a row. This was an opportunity for Gladbach to make up some ground and overtake Schalke 04 in the standings for a fourth placed Champions League spot.  After Leverkusen edged out a 1-0 victory in Gladbach on Heung-Min Son scorcher in the 62nd minute. The win cements Leverkusen into second spot ahead of Dortmund and was the 22nd time the Leverkusen side defeated Gladbach.  For Gladbach it will be back to the drawing board and the side is in danger of dropping below fifth spot.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Eintracht Braunschweig  3-0

Frankfurt handed Braunschweig one of the biggest defeats this season yet.  Starting the match barely above the relegation zone, Johannes Flum put the Eagles on the scoreborad seven minutes into the match, Alexander Meier and  Stefan Aigner added one more each before the halftime whistle.  Frankfurt, with 21 points, has moved to 15th spot, while Braunschweig remains in the basement with just 12 points.

SC Freiburg vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1-1

It took until the 68th minute for Freiburg's Jonathan Schmid to put the home side on the scoreboard.  The celebration was shortlived when Anthony Molesto got the equalizer in the 85th minute.  For Freiburg the point keeps the side in 14th spot, while Hoffenheim remains in 11th.

1. FC Nuernberg vs FC Bayern Muenchen 0-2
 ,
Nuernberg started this match with the obvious goal to stop Bayern's undefeated streak and during most of the match appeared capable of doing it.  Father Luck, however, was on the side of the Bavarians from Munich in this darby match.  Despite constant pressure by Nuernberg, it was Mario Mandzukic that scored the opening goal for Bayern in the first half.  Nuernberg often looked like they would get it back, but Phillip Lahm doubled the score early in the second half.  In his 250th Bundesliga game the Bayern Captain broke his non scoring streak after 95 games. Bayern continues to lead the league well ahead of any contenders, while Nuernberg remains in the relegation zone.

Werder Bremen vs Borussia Dortmund  1-5

This match came close to a blowout and it was clear that the Borussian came to win and maintain secure at least a Champions League spot this season.  Robert Lewandowski scored in the 26th and 85th minute, while Mkhiteryan scored in the 41st and 62nd minute.  Bremen defender Friedrich scored an own goal in the 48th minute for Dortmunds total of five.  The consolation goal for Bremen came in the 89th minute through Aycicek.  Dortmund has retained the four point gap behind second place Leverkusen, while Bremen is in 12th spot,  13 points form a Euro League spot.

VFL Wolfsburg - Mainz 05   3-0

Wolfsburg kept its hopes for a Champions League spot alive.  Ricardo Rodriguez scored the opener with a penalty kick in the 59th minute, followed by Bas Dost in the 66th minute and Louiz Gustavo put the match out of reach with a close range shot.  Wolfsburg is in the final Euro League spot for now, trailing one point for the final automatic Champions League spot.  Mainz is in seventh spot, three points behind Wolfsburg. 

Hamburger SV vs Hertha BSC Berlin  0-3

This was another disappointing match for Hamburg, while Berlin should retain the confidence that they will remain in the Bundesliga past this season.  Adrian Ramo scored two for Berlin and assistedin Allgui's goal in the 15th minute. Despite the disappointment of having a penalty saved, Ramos was instrumental in ensuring a win for the Berliners.  Hamburg has slipped down to 16th spot in short order, while Berlin sees light at the end of the tunnel and a possible Euro League spot as a reward.  Berlin is currently in eighth spot.

VFB Stuttgart vs FC Augsburg 1-4

Stuttgart was on the losing end again, even in the Daimler Benz Arena, after a frisky Augsburg side made short order of the Schwaben.  For Augsburg it was the eighth win in row and the Bavarian club has established a new club record.  Milik made it 1:0 for Augsburg in the 35th minute and Andre Hahn doubled it in the 43rd.  Hahn added another in the 56th before Rausch narrowed the score to 3-1, but Werner made it 4-1 in the 64th minute. While Augsburg is getting within grasp of a Euro League spot, for Stuttgart the situation is becoming critical. 

Schalke 04 vs Hannover 96  2-0

Schalke remained on target to maintain a Champions League spot with a 2-0 victory over an ailing Hannover side.  Goald by Farfan Jefferson Farfan (39th) and Max Meyer (44th) is all it took to eliminate Hannover, a side to slipped to tenth spot, six points behind ninth spot and only seven points away from a relegation spot.  Schalke 04, after a slow start to the season, has recaptured its old spirit and has had a successful return since return from the winter break. 

Augsburg and Berlin keep surprising the experts, while some of the traditional clubs have been disappointing.  The top four clubs in the league all won their matches this weekend and Bayern has a lead that will be difficult to reach, failing a disaster.

Friday 7 February

Bor. Mönchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen  0-1
 
Saturday 8 February 

 Eintracht Frankfurt vs Eintr. Braunschweig        3-0
Werder Bremen vs Borussia Dortmund        1-5
1. FC Nürnberg vs Bayern München        0-2
SC Freiburg vs 1899 Hoffenheim        1-1
VfL Wolfsburg vs FSV Mainz 05       3-0 
Hamburger SV vs Hertha BSC      0-3

Sunday 9 February 

VfB Stuttgart vs FC Augsburg     1-4   
Schalke 04 vs Hannover 96   2-0


Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        20    18   2    0       49:9         56
2      Leverkusen       20   14   1    5        37:20       43
3      Dortmund         20   12   3    5        47:24       39
4      Schalke             20    11   4    5       39:27       37 
5      M'gladbach       20    10   3    7       36:25       33
6      Wolfsburg         20    10   3    7       33:24       33
7     Hertha BSC       20    9    4    7       31:24       31
8      Augsburg           20     9   4    7       30:29       31
9      Mainz                20     9   3    8        29:36      30 
10    Hannover           20     7    3 10      29:35        24
11     Hoffenheim       20     5    7   8      40:43        23
12    Bremen               20    5    5  10     24:45        20
13    Stuttgart             20    5    4    11    32:39        19
14    Freiburg             20     4   7    10    20:36        19
15    Frankfurt            20     4     6    9    24:34        21
17    Nürnberg            20     2    11   7    24:36        17
16    Hamburg            20     4    4   12    33:47        16 
18    B'schweig           20    3     3  14    11:37        12

Premier Redford's Blame Game

Alberta's Premier Alison Redford's blame game is getting to the point of ridiculous.  A travel claim and scheduling clearly stop with the Premier. Her excuses and blaming her staff for outrageous expenses for her trip to Nelson Mandella's funeral are unfounded.

Ask yourself how many public servants both in the service of Canada or the provinces would get away with this after closer scrutiny of their travel claims.  Ask yourself how a tax return completed by a third person, which you signed would be excused by Revenue Canada.   It wouldn't.

The province has a Deputy Premier and his function is to represent the premier in her absence, if there should be scheduling conflicts.  It is also hard to believe that the Prime Minister's schedule is not readily available through the Prime Minister's office, especially for a first minister of a province.

A fact is, even President Obama publishes a daily schedule, which is readily available to anyone that wants it.  Ms Redford should quit making excuses for her travel expenses, which have been extravagant since she became premier. 

Nelson Mandella's funeral was primarily attended by heads of state, which Redford apparently thinks she is one.  No the buck stops with Alison Redford an not her staff. She should lead by example.  While she imposes austerity on Albertans she continues her spending ways. 

We as Albertan's should wake up and make this premier accountable. No more excuses.  It is her travel expenses on our dime and she needs to be held accountable.  Stop the madness.

Bundesliga Matchday 20 Preview: Bayern keeps coasting along

As the Bundesliga moves towards its homestretch in May, one can expect the upcoming weekend to be full of goals, excitement.  The battle for gaining points becomes especially important for those clubs in contention for a European spot and those facing relegation. 

The Friday evening matchday opener features Borussia Monenchgladbach and Bayer Leverkusen.  Leverkusen holds on to second spot, with a four point lead over Borussia Dortmund, while Bayern with its 13 point lead is expected to keep coasting toward the league championship.

Gladbach with back to back losses against Bayern and Hannover, has slipped to the fifth spot.  The Foalen face Bayer Leverkusen, which continues to surprise this season.  While Gladbach will attempt to move up on the table, Leverkusen will want to solidify its second place spot.  The encounter in Gladbach could be challenging.  A Gladbach win would hand Leverkusen its third straight away defeat.  Definitely there is a lot to think about for both teams.  Be prepared for a thriller.

Frankfurt hosts Braunschweig on Saturday.  After the five goal trouncing against Bayern, Frankfurt wil have the motivation to resurface.  While they meet the basement of the league Braunschweig, the side is not to be taken for granted.  Braunschweig has spirit and can be a major heartache for its opponennts.  A lot of the losses have been close decisions.  Frankfurt has to put the Bayern game in its past and concentrate on Braunschweig. Eintracht is only one spot away from moving into relegation. The motivation is there for both sides.

Dortmund, which moved back into third spot last weekend, will be meeting a recently declining side Bremen.  Odds would tell you that Dortmund should win this, with most of its regular defence back on the pitch.  Playing in northern Germany is always a challenge this time of the year. Dortmund will want to reinforce last week's win to at least keep pace  with Leverkusen, hopeful to take up second spot later in the season. Bremen needs a win to stop its downward spiral.  Dortmund may be intimidating, but the side has to think positive.

1. FC Nuernberg hosts Bayern Muenchen in the local Bayern Darby.  A win by the record champions is not always a given when local rivals meet.  Nuernberg has recently made a comeback and seems to firing on all cylinders since the return from the winter break.  Bayern's side will have to keep its wits about them and not take Nuernberg as an easy challenge.  It certainly is not.

The remaining three matches on Saturday see Freiburg meeting Hoffenheim, which is a hard match to call, Wolfsburg hosts Mainz and Hamburger SV hosts Hertha BSC Berlin.

On Sunday VFB Stuttgart hosts FC Augsburg, a match that should be exciting for the fans.  Augsburg are practically neighbours and the match should be a challenge for both sided.

The last match on Sunday sees Schalke hosting Hannover. Shalke moved back into fourth spot last weekend, after a decent return from the winter break.  Hannover will certainly have its hands full. 

Friday 7 February Bor. Mönchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen  0-1
 
Saturday 8 February
         Eintracht Frankfurt vs Eintr. Braunschweig        
Werder Bremen vs Borussia Dortmund        
1. FC Nürnberg vs Bayern München        
SC Freiburg vs 1899 Hoffenheim        
VfL Wolfsburg vs FSV Mainz 05        
Hamburger SV vs Hertha BSC    

Sunday 9 February
     VfB Stuttgart vs FC Augsburg        
Schalke 04 vs Hannover 96   


Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        19    17   2    0       47:9         53
2      Leverkusen       20   14   1    5       37:20       43
3      Dortmund         19    11   3    5       42:23       36
4      Schalke             19    10   4    5       37:27       34 
5      M'gladbach       20    10   3    7       36:25       33
6      Wolfsburg         19      9   3    7       30:24       30
7      Mainz                19     9   3    7       29:33        30 
8      Hertha BSC       19     8  4     7       28:24        28
9      Augsburg           19     8   4    7      26:28        28
10    Hannover           19     7    3    9     29:33        24
11     Hoffenheim       19     5    6   8     39:42        22
12    Bremen              19     5     5   9     23:40        20
13    Stuttgart             19    5    4    10    31:35        19
14    Freiburg             19     4     6   10   19:35        18
15    Frankfurt            19     3     6    9    21:34        18
17    Nürnberg            19     2    11   6    24:34        17
16    Hamburg            19      4    4  11    33:44        16 
18    B'schweig           19    3     3  13    11:34         12

Alison Redford's disregard for Alberta Taxpayers

Alberta Premier Alsion Redford shows continued disregard for Alberta Taxpayers. Her continued lavish expenses for her travel around the globe was once again highlighted when the taxpayer was billed when her expenses to go to Nelson Mandella’s funeral were $45,000, while the Premier of Nova Scotia, Stephen McNeil, billed the taxpayer a mere $942.
While she hitched a free ride to South Africa on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s flight, she took a private jet to Ottawa and flew home on a commercial flight. For her recent trip to India she billed the taxpayer $120,000.

Since becoming premier, Redford has continuously traveled starting with a trip to the London Olympics, where she paid for unused rooms. The trip was apparently to promote Alberta in Europe. Why would you do that during the Olympics?
She has attended the Bilderberg Society, a conference based on invitation only and the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, another meeting that is by invitation only. According to opposition critic Rob Anderson, Redford thinks she is Royalty, but Rob Anderson adds that she is not. She is the Premier of Alberta and needs to respect taxpayers of this province. Read more at Politisite

Bundesliga: Matchday 19 Roundup - Bayern with amost insurmountable lead

FC Bayern Muenchen maintain an almost insurmountable 13 point lead on top of the Bundesliga table.  With a 5-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern continues its unbeaten streak in Germany's top flight.

While Borussia Dortmund barely edged out a 2-1 away win over the league's taillight, last year's Champions League finalists remain 17 points behind lead leaguer Bayern and behind Leverkusen by four. Leverkusen squeezed a 2-1 win out of VFB Stuttgart.

Schalke 04, with its win over Wolfsburg moved into a Champions League spot and only trails Dortmund by two points

Nuernberg, Hamburg and Braunschweig remain in the relegation zone, although Nuernberg finally broke their jinx and won the second match of the season in Berlin.

The remainder of the field is fighting for spots above the relegation zone up to and including sixth spot.  Not much has been decided in that portion of the table. 

 Eintracht Braunschweig vs Borussia Dortmund 1-2

Dortmund survived a cliffhanger, which was close to a draw right to the end.  Aubameyang opened the scoring in the 31st minute and took that lead into the half.  Kessel got the equalizer in the  54th minute, but Aubemeyang, once again got the lead for Dortmund in the 65th minute.  That the endphase was turbulent would be and understatement. After Braunschweig's equalizer, Dortmund countered and immediately went into the lead again. Dortmund missed several opportunities to put the game away, despite chances by Reus, Mkhitaryan and Lewandowsi.  It took until the end before Dortmund could breathe easy, when Braunschweig hit the post. Dortmund has moved into third spot, while Braunschweig remains at the bottom of the table.

Hoffenheim vs Hamburger SV  3-0

Firmino got the early goal in the fourth minute and it was followed up with Hoffenheim second by Suele in the 44th minute.  In the second half it was all Hoffenheim as Hamburg did very little to get on top of the Sinsheim side.  Beck put the game out of reach in the 61st minute.  Hamburg continues its slid to the bottom of the table, while Hoffenheim remains in 11th. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs VFB Stuttgart 2-1

Leverkusen trailed Bayern by 13 points prior to this  match, with Dortmund close behind. The main aim of the club is to try to hold second spot on the table.  This was almost foiled by the Schwaben 12 minutes into the match, when Leitner scored the 1-0 lead for Stuttgart. Stefan Kiessling got the equalizer in the 24th minute, but then the struggling started for the factory team.  Derdiyok finally was able to score the go ahead goal in the 84th  minute.  Stuttgart kept up the pressure to the end, but Leverkusen prevailed.  Leverkusen remains in second spot, four points ahead of  Dortmund.  Stuttgart is in 13th with 19 points.

Schalke 04 vs VFL Wolfsburg 2-1

Schalke is on a come back after a slow start to the season and obviously the side had high expectations going into this match.  Santana got the go ahead goal for the Knappen in the ninth minute.  Despite a red card for Caligiuri in the 50th minute, Arnold got the equalizer for Wolfsburg in the 65th minute.  Kevin Prince Boateng got the go ahead goal in the 81st minute.  The win moves Schalke into fourth spot two points behind Dortmund, while Wolfsburg slipped to sixth.


FC Augsburg vs Werder Bremen 3-1

Augsburg continues its winning ways to continue its climb on the table.  Callsen-Bracker scored an on goal for an Augsburg  1-0 lead in the third minute.  Werner got the equalizer in the 11th minute and that is where it stood  at the half.  Altintop got the go ahead goal four minutes into the second half and Hahn put the game out of reach for Bremen in the 55th.  Augsburg moves into ninth spot, while Bremen is in 12th.

Mainz 05 vs SC Freiburg 2-0

 Mainz, after a good start of the season, had a period of weakness, but seems to have regained the momentum.  With goals by Park in the 24th and Koo in the 86th minute, Mainz secured three points against Freiburg.  Freiburg remains in 14th spot just above the relegation zone and continues to struggle to get back to last season's form.

Hannover 96 vs Borussia MoenchenGladbach 3-1

Hannover was definitely the better team today and stopped Gladbach's move toward the top end of the table with its 3-1 victory. The match was fairly even in the first half with both sides playing well and effecient, but in the second half Hannover walked away after Rudnev's first goal in the 57th minute.  Diouf made 2-0 in the 82nd minute, but Mlapa scored the 2-1 for Gladbach.  At that point it looked as if the game was back on.  Diouf, with his second of the day, made it 3-1 in the 90th minute.  Hannover moves into tenth spot, while Gladbach moves into fifth.

Bayern Muenchen vs Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0

Bayern Munich maintained their 13-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a 5-0 home romp against Eintracht Frankfurt to extend their record 44-match unbeaten run.

Bayern ran riot against strugglers Frankfurt with Mario Goetze, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and centre-back Dante all getting on the scoresheet at Munich's Allianz Arena.   Spain's Thiago , Mario Alcantara set a new Bundesliga record with 185 ball contacts as Bayern's midfield dominated.

German star Goetze put the hosts ahead when he chested down Mario Mandzukic's cross and slammed his shot inside the far post with only 12 minutes gone. Read more

Hertha BSC Berlin vs 1.FC Nuernberg  1-3 

Berlin - 1. FC Nürnberg moved out of the bottom three of the Bundesliga after coming from behind to inflict a 3-1 defeat on Hertha Berlin.
Adrian Ramos gave the hosts an early lead and took his place at the top of the Bundesliga scoring charts with his 12th of the season, but a Markus Feulner effort saw the two teams go in on level terms at the break. With his third and fourth goals of 2014, Josip Drmic then snatched victory for the Bavarians, who leap above Hamburger SV and SC Freiburg with their second straight victory in the new year.  Read More

Friday January 31

Eintr. Braunschweig vs Borussia Dortmund  1-2

Saturday February 1

1899 Hoffenheim vs Hamburger SV   3-0    
Bayer Leverkusen vs VfB Stuttgart   2-1    
Schalke 04 vs VfL Wolfsburg       2-1
FC Augsburg vs Werder Bremen    3-1   
FSV Mainz 05 vs SC Freiburg     2-0   
Hannover 96 vs Bor. Mönchengladbach 3-1

Sunday February 2

Hertha BSC vs 1. FC Nürnberg   1-3    
Bayern München vs Eintracht Frankfurt    5-0



Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        19    17   2    0       47:9         53
2      Leverkusen       19    13   1    5       36:20       40
3      Dortmund         19    11   3    5       42:23       36
4      Schalke             19    10   4    5       37:27       34 
5      M'gladbach       19    10   3    6       36:24       33
6      Wolfsburg         19      9   3    7       30:24       30
7      Mainz                19     9   3    7       29:33        30 
8      Hertha BSC       19     8  4     7       28:24        28
9      Augsburg           19     8   4    7      26:28        28
10    Hannover           19     7    3    9     29:33        24
11     Hoffenheim       19     5    6   8     39:42        22
12    Bremen              19     5     5   9     23:40        20
13    Stuttgart             19    5    4    10    31:35        19
14    Freiburg             19     4     6   10   19:35        18
15    Frankfurt            19     3     6    9    21:34        18
17    Nürnberg            19     2    11   6    24:34        17
16    Hamburg            19      4    4  11    33:44        16 
18    B'schweig           19    3     3  13    11:34         12