Final match of the campaign

Hannover 96 took to the field at 18.00 CET on Tuesday to complete their final friendly match of the 2012/13 season. 96-manager Mirko Slomka sent out a strong team in the bluechip-Arena but nevertheless, goalkeeper Markus Miller was picking the ball out of his net after just ten minutes – Bernsdorf’s strike sending the home fans into raptures. Their joy was short-lived though with two goals from Mame Diouf in the 30th and 33rd minutes putting the Reds in front. Neither side offered anything more before the half-time whistle.

Five changes at the break

Half-time signalled five changes for Mirko Slomka’s side. Steven Cherundolo, Mario Eggimann, Christian Pander, Leon Andreasen and Mame Diouf were withdrawn, with Christian Schulz, André Hoffmann, Konstantin Rausch, Jan Schlaudraff and Didier Ya Konan introduced. The final change came in the 58th minute as Sergio da Silva Pinto took Lars Stindl’s place. Hannover went on to ensure the game was all but over in the 70th minute thanks to Christian Schulz’s strike. Meuselwitz did respond however, bringing the score back to 3-2 five minutes later, but they failed to find the equaliser in the final stages meaning Hannover won their final game of the season.

Five weeks of summer holidays

The final whistle signalled the end of the 2012/13 campaign for Hannover 96. The players can now switch off for five weeks before Mirko Slomka calls them back for training on June 25th. Not every player will be football-free though: Some players, including goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, have been called up for their respective nations to take part in international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers that take place over the next few weeks.

Hannover 96: Miller - Cherundolo (45’ Schulz), Djourou, Eggimann (45’ Hoffmann), Pander (45' Rausch) - Stindl (58’ da Silva Pinto), Schmiedebach, Andreasen (45’ Schlaudraff), Gökdemir - Sobiech, Diouf (45’ Ya Konan)

Goals: 1-0 Bernsdorf (10’), 1-1 Diouf (30’), 1-2 Diouf (33’), 1-3 Schulz (70’), 2-3 Starke (75’)