Applying the Finishing touches
Munich - With just a week to go before the first competitive games of the 2012/13 campaign, several Bundesliga clubs were putting the finishing touches to their preparations with final pre-season friendly matches.
Hannover 96 3-4 Manchester United
Hannover 96 lost to English Premier League runners-up Manchester United by the odd goal in seven in front of 35,800 fans at the AWD-Arena. It was a dramatic game which Hannover appeared on course to win until a late twist denied them even a draw. Artur Sobiech put the Reds in front and former United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler made some excellent saves before Javier Hernández brought the visitors level in the 31st minute.
Karim Haggui, on as a second-half substitute, put Hannover ahead again within three minutes of taking to the field, heading in Christian Pander's cross, and Zieler again took centre stage with a string of fine saves. Mohammed Abdelaoue scored a magnificent backheeled goal to make it three in the 65th minute, but Wayne Rooney dispatched a direct free-kick three minutes later to bring the Red Devils back to within a single goal.
Rooney it was who levelled from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after being brought down by Zieler, who made amends by denying former Borussia Dortmund forward Shinji Kagawa moments later. Yet Kagawa was celebrating in the 85th minute when he showed what Bundesliga fans had enjoyed over the past two sasons to put United ahead for the first time of the night and seal victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
SV Werder Bremen 3-3 Aston Villa
Werder Bremen shared six goals with Premier League opponents Aston Villa, coached by former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert. Niclas Füllkrug kept up his excellent goalscoring record in pre-season with the opening goal, but Villa turned the tables on Bremen with goals from Darren Bent and Ciaran Clark. Eljero Elia brought Bremen back on terms in front of 22,778 fans before Bent's second goal gave the Villains the lead again. Aaron Hunt concluded the scoring in the 71st minute.
Fortuna Düsseldorf - SL Benfica (Match abandoned after 43 minutes)
It was supposed to be a festival in anticipation of Fortuna's first Bundesliga season in 15 years, but the party did not even last 45 minutes before the match was abandoned following an incident involving referee Christian Fischer and Benfica captain Luisão. Fortuna took the decision to play the second 45 minutes alone, forming two sides of eleven to complete an unusual afternoon's entertainment.
Eintracht Frankfurt 4-2 Valencia
Olivier Occean was on target twice for Eintracht Frankfurt as they impressed with a 4-2 win over Spanish Primera Division side Valencia, who finished third in last season's championship. Stefan Aigner put the hosts in front before the first of Occean's goals. Valencia brought the game level through Pablo Piatti and Pablo Hernandez, but Occaan and Erwin Hoffer completed a good day at the office for Armin Veh's men.
Norwich City 0-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach are fit for the start of the season, including their UEFA Champions League play-off matches with Dynamo Kyiv, after winning their European test against Norwich City 2-0. Igor de Camargo put Lucien Favre's side ahead in the 16th minute and Branimir Hrgota added the second a minute from time as Gladbach ended their pre-season unbeaten.
Other results:
FC Augsburg 2-2 Queens Park Rangers
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-0 SV Elversburg
VfB Stuttgart 3-3 Swansea City
SC Freiburg 1-0 Real Betis
FSV Mainz 05 3-3 Sevilla
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