Ruud Hits Three As Hamburg Advance To The Second Round.

Bundesliga strugglers Hannover 96 bowed out of the DFB Pokal early with a shock loss on penalties to fourth division side SV Elversberg. Hannover fans will be devastated that their side could not overcome their inferior opponents, and relegation looks to be just around the bend for Hannover this season if they cannot improve before the Bundesliga season begins.

Elsewhere, Hamburg were in fine form against fifth division minnows Torgelower SV Greif, where Ruud van Nistelrooy hit a hat-trick accompanied by goals from David Jarolim and Jose Paolo Guerrero. Encouraging signs from Hamburg who will be looking to challenge for a Champions League spot this season.

Also in today’s DFB Pokal round one games, there were impressive wins for OFC Kickers, Aachen, Nurnberg, Energie Cottbus, Hallescher, Koblenz, Wolfsburg, and Koln.

Tomorrow’s first round DFB Pokal matches will see Schalke play against VfR Aalen, and Bayern Munich against Germania Dattenfeld.