Bayern regain Bundesliga title

A 1-1 draw against 1. FC Kaiserslautern proved enough as FC Bayern München completed a famous 'double double', capitalising on a slip by nearest rivals Hamburger SV to retain the Bundesliga title.

Cup triumph
Having regained the German Cup with a narrow win against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, Bayern went into their match against relegation-threatened Kaiserslautern knowing that a win would guarantee the championship also remained in Munich. But they started badly, and Hamit Altintop handed the home team a shock lead just before the half-hour mark.

Hamburg flounder
Andreas Ottl equalised midway through the second half and although an winner proved elusive, the Bayern players nonetheless began familiar celebrations on the final whistle after Hamburg lost 4-2 at Hertha BSC Berlin. At half-time it looked very different, with Felix Magath's team trailing and second-placed Hamburg looking set to cut their lead to two points after going 2-1 up courtesy of early goals from Piotr Trochowski and Benjamin Lauth, either side of Andreas Neuendorf’s 14th-minute equaliser.

Dramatic comeback
Neuendorf’s dismissal on the hour gave more reason for hope but instead Hamburg imploded as goals from Alexander Madlung, Niko Kovać and Marko Pantelić saw Hertha storm back. Thomas Doll's side will now face Werder Bremen next weekend in a showdown that will decided who finishes second in Germany. Hamburg currently have a one-point advantage but Bremen are in fine fettle and will go into the game on the back of an emphatic 6-0 win against 1. FC Köln as Tim Borowski, Miroslav Klose and Ivan Klasnić each scored twice.

Pivotal fixtures
There will be another decisive game at the other end of the table too as Kaiserslautern and VfL Wolsburg go head-to-head to see who joins Köln and MSV Duisburg, who earned a rare triumph at DSC Arminia Bielefeld, in 2 Bundesliga next season. Kaiserslautern currently occupy 16th, but their draw against Bayern has left them within touching distance of Wolfsburg after they lost 2-1 to VfB Stuttgart. Eintracht Frankfurt avoided final-day drama with a 1-1 draw at BV Borussia Dortmund although there was some disappointment as Salvatore Gambino's 87th-minute goal denied them a win.

Auer form
1. FC Mainz 05 also climbed to safety as in-form Benjamin Auer's strike earned a 1-0 win at home to FC Schalke 04. Elsewhere, the games between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FC Nürnberg, and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hannover 96 both ended 2-2.