Germany round-up: Leverkusen boost survival bid

Bayer 04 Leverkusen moved out of the 1. Bundesliga relegation zone thanks to a comfortable 3-0 home victory against TSV 1860 München.

Early advantage
In their first match under new coach Klaus Augenthaler, Bayer climbed out of the bottom three with one league match left to play. Daniel Bierofka opened the scoring after just eight minutes, and Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov doubled the lead a minute before half-time. Marko Babic added a third early in the second half to seal a crucial three points for the home side.

Arminia in trouble
The victory enabled Leverkusen to move a point above DSC Arminia Bielefeld, who were defeated 3-0 at FC Hansa Rostock. Godfried Aduobe put the home side in front after eight minutes, before second-half strikes from Marco Vorbeck and Antonio Di Salvo sealed Arminia's defeat. Arminia face Hannover 96 on the final day of the season, while Leverkusen travel to 1. FC Nürnberg.

Nürnberg demoted
Nürnberg were condemned to relegation as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at already-demoted FC Energie Cottbus. Mirko Topic gave the home side an early lead and, although Jacek Krzynowek equalised for Nürnberg midway through the first half, Andrzej Juskowiak scored what proved to be the winning goal with 16 minutes remaining to seal their fate.

Mönchengladbach not safe
Meanwhile, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach failed to secure their top-flight status as a last-minute equaliser from Jiri Stajner gave Hannover a 2-2 draw. The home side had taken the lead with a Nebjosa Krupnikovic free-kick after ten minutes, but two goals in five second-half minutes from Mikael Forssell and Sladan Asanin seemed to have turned the match in Mönchengladbach's favour.

Two for Elber
At the top of the table, two Giovane Elber goals proved enough for champions FC Bayern München, although a late goal from Sean Dundee gave third-placed VfB Stuttgart hopes of earning an unlikely draw. Meanwhile, BV Borussia Dortmund remained second after a goalless draw at 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

Wolfsburg win
Elsewhere, goals from Tomislav Maric and Dorinal Munteanu gave VfL Wolfsburg a 2-0 win against Hertha BSC Berlin, while SV Werder Bremen defeated FC Schalke 04 2-1 and VfL Bochum 1848 drew 1-1 at home to Hamburger SV.