Stuttgart seal Hoffenheim win

A fine brace by Vedad Ibisevic helped Stuttgart secure three points at Hoffenheim to lift them into contention for a Europa League spot for next season.

Ibisevic brace secures bragging rights in local derby

A superb brace by Vedad Ibisevic helped Stuttgart secure three points at Hoffenheim in the Baden-Wurttemberg derby to lift them into contention for a Europa League spot for next season. The Bosnian international, who joined the club in January from Hoffenheim, was on target against his old club in the 8th minute, feasting on Khalid Boulahrouz's delicious right-wing cross to tuck his left-foot shot into the bottom corner at a stunned Rhein-Neckar-Arena. And two minutes before the break Boulahrouz provided another glorious cross which was met by a stunning diving header from Inisevic from close-range to double the advantage. Hoffenheim head coach Markus Babbel was keen that his side avoided another humilating result following their 7-1 hammering at Bayern Munich last Saturday. And they showed plenty of fight in the second half and deservedly pulled a goal back in the 74th minute as another Bosnian Sejad Salihovic slammed home from the penalty spot after Fabian Johnson was tripped by Francisco Rodriguez. The Swabians move up to seventh spot in the Bundesliga table after the win, three points adrift of the top six, while Hoffenheim remain in 12th position.