Germany round-up: Bayern march on

Brazilian striker Giovane Elber inspired FC Bayern München to a 3-0 victory against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday that enabled the Bavarian club to establish a 13-point lead at the top of the 1. Bundesliga.

Two for Elber
Elber, who also scored twice in midweek when Bayern defeated the same opponents 3-1 to clinch a place in the German Cup final, kept his side on course for a domestic double with two more goals, scoring in the 22nd and 76th minutes. The 30-year-old also played an important role in his side's other goal, setting up Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro for Bayern's opener after just two minutes.

Ballack injury
However, the victory was marred by an injury to Bayern's German international midfield player Michael Ballack, who had to be sustituted after 22 minutes after sustaining an ankle injury in a collision. Ballack's former club Leverkusen, who finished as runners-up in the UEFA Champions League, the Bundesliga and the German Cup last season, dropped two places down to 14th and now face the renewed prospect of a battle against relegation.

Lost ground
Defending champions BV Borussia Dortmund remained second but lost ground on Bayern, slipping to a 1-0 defeat at struggling VfL Borussia Möenchengladbach. Finnish international striker Mikael Forssell, who joined on loan from English side Chelsea FC during the winter break, scored the winner with a 63rd-minute header to secure a winning start for new coach Ewald Lienen.

Missed chance
Third-placed VfB Stuttgart missed the chance to move second as they were held 1-1 by Hamburger SV. Striker Kevin Kuranyi put Stuttgart ahead after 19 minutes but was left to rue missing a clear opportunity soon afterwards when Iranian international striker Mehdi Mahdavikia levelled for the visitors two minutes before the break.

Easy for Hertha
Hertha BSC Berlin comfortably defeated TSV 1860 München 6-0 to hold on to seventh place and keep their hopes of European qualification alive. Brazilian playmaker Marcelinho set up one goal and scored twice himself as two goals from Michael Preetz, one from Brazilian Luizão and an own goal from 1860 goalkeeper Simon Jentzsch completed the scoring.

Exciting match
VfL Wolfsburg came from behind to defeat FC Energie Cottbus 3-2 in a thrilling game. Tomislav Maric opened the scoring in the seventh minute but Paulo Roberto Rink equalised soon after and Laurentiu Reghecampf gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot. However, goals from Roy Präger and Robson Ponte were enough for the home team to turn the match around and collect all three points.

Other games
Fourth-placed FC Schalke 04 could only manage a 1-1 draw with DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Schalke's Sven Vermant levelling after team-mate Tomasz Waldoch had scored an own goal before the break. SV Werder Bremen enjoyed a 2-0 success at home to VfL Bochum 1848 thanks to goals from Brazilian striker Ailton and midfield player Ivica Banovic.