After last weeks tough draw against Dortmund, 96 responded with a tremendous 1-1 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim 1899. Against former Hannover coach Ralf Rangnick the match lived up to action packed expectations. It was only the second point of the year earned away from home and is further evidence of a resilient side of the team even though they are plagued with a number of injuries.Forced into a number of changes due to injury Dieter Hecking listed Leon Andreasen, Bastian Schulz and Konstantin Rausch into his starting eleven along with Jan Rosenthal who replaced Jacek Krzynówek because of good form in practice.
The first half started with relative even play but twenty minutes after the start 1899 was awarded a highly erroneous penalty as a penalty was called on Konstantin Rausch challenge Andreas Beck even though he was outside the area. That aside Selim Teber gave fortuitous lead as Robert Enke, just called up for Deutschland World Cup qualifiers, wasn't able to stop the attempt. The poor call was met with a bit of justice two minutes later as Hanno Balitsch set in Arnold Bruggink’s set piece to square the match. Near the half hour it was Enke again proving Joachim Löw was correct in calling him up as he saved a Tobias Weis scoring threat and without a further goal the match went to the break even at one. With sixteen minutes left 96 looked to be heading to their first away victory as Mario Eggimann headed in Arnold Bruggink’s set piece in. However the three points disappeared with six minutes left as Wellington redirected Selim Teber cross's to make it a 2-2 final.
Photo Credit: Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896
