Despite the game ending nil-nil, Hamburg's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt was anything but dull.
Entertaining first half
Both teams began well but a set-piece almost opened up the scoring early on. Marc Stendera's delivery was inch-perfect for Marco Russ and the defender, who has got a reputation for popping up with important goals, flicked a header towards goal that was cleared off the line by Ivo Ilicevic.
The hosts responded immediately with another dead-ball situation creating the chance. Lewis Holtby's free-kick was flicked on twice in the area before it found Johan Djourou at the back post, whose effort struck the power with Lukas Hradecky well-beaten.
HSV continued to come forward but Alexander Meier's curling shot almost caught Jaroslav Drobny and his defence cold. That was only a momentary blip for Bruno Labbadia's side and Aaron Hunt quickly produced a stellar save from Lukas Hradecky; his shot from range required a brilliant one-handed stop low to the Finn's left. That was the final opportunity of the half, and either side could have been ahead at the break.
Second half sees more of the same
Hamburg started in the same vein as they finished the first-half and should have been ahead early on in the second period. An excellent move saw a cross from Dennis Diekmeier go behind everyone and fall for Lewis Holtby, though he blasted over the bar.
Frankfurt's attacking threat had seemingly gone to nothing after the early flurry of chances, though Haris Seferovic soon reminded Drobny and the home fans of the very real threat. The Swiss striker rose highest to meet Stendera's cross, powering it towards goal before the Czech stopper flicked it over the bar.
Drobny was soon in action again, making another quite remarkable save. This time Alex Meier was the player to be thwarted, as his well-struck volley towards the bottom corner was somehow clawed away by the veteran custodian. The Frankfurt pressure kept coming but couldn't find a way through their opposition's defence. That was how the game finished, too, in which both had to thank their goalkeepers for earning a point.