Schalke 2-3 Hoffenheim
Bayern 2-1 Stuttgart
Wolfsburg 5-1 Bremen
Arminia 2-2 Hannover
Energie 3-0 Leverkusen
Cologne 1-1 Bochum
Karlsruhe 4-0 Hertha
Monchengladbach 1-1 Dortmund
Eintracht 2-3 Hamburg
Another goal spree from Wolfsburg sealed their first ever championship in grand style as Bremen were brushed aside at the VW-Arena. For the first time ever, a side finishes with two players over 20 goals for the season with Grafite on 28 and Edin Dzeko on 26 and that goes most of the way to explain why Wolfsburg are now champions. Architect in chief has been Zvjezdan Misimovic and he got the first on what amounted to Wolfsburg's first attack. Grafite doubled the lead ten minutes later and it was another Grafite inspired attack that ended with Sebastien Prodl putting through his own net. Diego pulled one back on the half hour, but that front pairing grabbed one each after the break, Grafite heading in a free-kick and Dzeko meeting Christian Gentner's cross at the back post, sparking wild scenes. The trouble now is whether this side will stay together. Felix Magath departs the coaching role (and CEO, and sporting director) for Schalke and Grafite and Dzeko are among Europe's hottest properties and are sure to attract interest. The side is in danger of breaking up before they can fully enjoy the spoils of victory.
Bayern did their bit by beating Stuttgart at home in the hope that Bremen could do them a favour. Khalid Boulahrouz put past his own keeper to give the Bavarians the lead and Mark van Bommel made it two before Mario Gomez struck his 24th of the season in consolation. Bayern finish second and Stuttgart third, in the Champions League qualifiers.
Energie pulled out of the bottom two and automatic relegation with a 3-0 win over Leverkusen. Goalless approaching half time, Artur Vidal was sent off just before the break and Cottbus rallied in the second period. Emil Jula got two, either side of one from Stiven Rivic and Ervin Skela had time to miss a penalty before the end. That rendered Karlsruhe's astonishing 4-0 win over Hertha almost irrelevant. They're down despite rolling over the Berliners through Sebastien Freis, Maik Franz and two from Joshua Kennedy. Arminia will join them in Bundesliga 2 despite getting off to a flier at home to Hannover. Mario Eggimann put through his own net in the second minute, but Jiri Stajner equalised and Sergio Pinto put Hannover ahead with five minutes left. Artur Wichniarek equalised in the last minute, but it wasn't enough and Arminia go down. Hertha finish fourth and will play Europa League football next season. They'll be joined by Hamburg who won in Frankfurt. David Jarolim and Ivica Olic, in his last game for the club, gave Martin Jol's side a two-goal lead, but Alexander Meier and Caio squared it up with two goals in as many minutes around the hour mark. Piotr Trochowski snatched it in the last minute.
A point for Gladbach sees them safe, Danté giving them the lead before Jakub Blaszczykowski equalised and Bochum also finish safe also thanks to a draw. Diego Klimovic put them ahead at Cologne before Antar Yahia's own goal levelled it half way through the first half. Schalke ended their miserable season with another defeat in front of their own fans as Hoffenheim led early before coming from behind to snatch a win that sees them finish seventh in their debut season in the top flight. Demba Ba put the Villagers ahead, but Mladen Krstajic and Jefferson Farfan ensured Schalke would turn around in front. The second half belonged to Carlos Eduardo as he first equalised five minutes after the restart and snatched all three points with a last minute penalty.
The Euroballs Bundesliga team of the season, in a 4-3-3 style:
Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg); Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Neven Subotic (Dortmund), Phillip Lahm (Bayern); Franck Ribéry (Bayern), Zvejzdan Misimovic (Wolfsburg), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim); Grafite (Wolfsburg), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Mario Gomez (Stuttgart).
With apologies to Markus Miller (Karlsruhe), Patrick Helmes (Leverkusen), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Marko Marin (Gladbach), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Vedad Ibsevic (Hoffenheim).
It's been one heck of a season, thrilling to the last. More next time please.
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