Finke's Freiburg fell favourites

Bayer 04 Leverkusen slipped up in their bid to close the gap on Bundesliga leaders SV Werder Bremen on Sunday as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Volke Finke's SC Freiburg.

Antar heroics
Freiburg midfield player Roda Antar secured the points with a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area in the 54th minute, ensuring that Leverkusen have now recorded just one win in their last six matches. Freiburg, who had conceded 10 goals in their last two games, soaked up considerable pressure in the second half but held on for the victory. Leverkusen, who had been one of three teams just behind Bremen during the winter break, remain fourth on 35 points, seven adrift of the leaders, who beat Hertha BSC Berlin 4-0 on Saturday.

Hannover comeback
Hannover 96 climbed ahead of opponents Hamburger SV on goal difference after their 3-2 victory at the Neidersachsenstadion. But the home side had to recover from a goal behind to complete the double over their north-German rivals, whom they beat 3-0 at the beginning of the season. Sergej Barbabrez opened the scoring for Hamburg before Hannover's Nebojsa Krupnikovic converted a penalty in the 13th minute and Clint Mathis scored his first goal for the club 15 minutes later. Hannover moved 3-1 ahead through Jaime's 76th-minute strike from long range but they were made to sweat when Bernardo Romeo reduced the deficit a minute later.