Eintracht keeper Reinhardt in fine form

After a gruelling campaign, both domestically and on the European front, the Hannover first team have more than deserved an opportunity to recharge their batteries this summer. But before they could close the book on the 2011-12 season, there was one more friendly match to play. It was against FC Northeim, and the side playing in the sixth tier of German football put up stubborn resistance against their more glamorous opponents. Striker Aycicek put the Red sin front after nine minutes, but buoyed by a vociferous home support, the underdogs rallied and had an equaliser on 19 minutes, when Sebastian Gehrke headed in.

Ivorian international Ya Konan restored Hannover’s lead just before the half-hour mark, but if neutrals thought that the home side would crumble after going behind again, they were proved very wrong indeed. Thorben Reinhardt had a stormer in the Northeim goal, making save after save and keeping his team in the game. The score remained 2-1 until the 66th minute, when Austrian Daniel Royer settled the game with a sweet strike. But it was a close affair for 96, and a fitting way to round off what has been a long and arduous season.

The players now gave until June 26th before they are due back at the training ground to prepare for next season

br