Hamburger SV will contest the Bundesliga relegation playoff for a second season in a row despite a 2-0 win over Schalke 04.
The home side looked nervous early on and had to wait until the half-hour mark to create their first meaningful chance.
However, Artjoms Rudnevs miscued his shot from the edge of the box after he was found by a neat pass from Marcelo Diaz.
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Schalke finished the half as the stronger side and wasted a glorious chance to take the lead when Jefferson Farfan's cross was flicked to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who volleyed wide from 10 yards out.
The Dutch striker almost made amends after the break, but his low shot was kept out by Rene Adler, before Hamburg took the lead.
A low corner fell to Ivica Olic and he smashed an instinctive volley into the back of the net, before they doubled their advantage shortly after as Lewis Holtby's free kick was headed in by Slobodan Rajkovic.
Rajkovic almost gifted Schalke a route back into the game late on as a poor back-pass released Maxim Choupo-Moting, but his weak shot was smothered by the keeper.
The away side continued to push for a goal, but Hamburger remained strong at the back and held on to win.
Charlie Bennett
