IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that winger Andre Hahn will join from Bundesliga rivals Augsburg at the end of the season.
Hahn, who earned a maiden call-up to the Germany side for the friendly with Chile earlier this month, will link up with Gladbach in June after penning a four-year deal with Lucien Favre's side.
The 23-year-old becomes the second player to agree to join Gladbach next season, following Basel goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who will replace the departing Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Former Hamburg man Hahn has enjoyed an excellent season for Augsburg so far, scoring 10 goals in 27 Bundesliga appearances.
And Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl revealed that they beat a number of other suitors to Hahn's signature.
"Andre Hahn has undergone an incredible development at Augsburg this season," Eberl told Gladbach's official website.
"He is one of the top-scoring wingers in the league and will certainly strengthen us in attack.
"We had strong competition in our efforts to sign him and are pleased that he has chosen us."
If Hahn can remain in Joachim Low's squad for Brazil 2014, it would cap an impressive 18 months for the winger, who only joined Augsburg from third-tier outfit Kickers Offenbach in January 2013.
Bundesliga Wrap: Gladbach go sixth, Bremen boost survival hopes
30 March 2014
Borussia Monchengladbach boosted their chances of European qualification with a 3-1 Bundesliga win over Hamburg on Sunday.
Struggling Hamburg, who would have climbed out of the relegation zone with a win, went ahead shortly before the half-hour mark when Jacques Zoua got on the end of a Hakan Calhanoglu free-kick to head home.
However, Michael Mancienne was penalised for a handball in the penalty area eight minutes before the break, allowing Filip Daems the opportunity to level matters from the spot.
The Belgian's strike was initially saved by goalkeeper Rene Adler, but he followed up well to make amends.
Raffael rounded Adler to put the hosts ahead at Borussia Park in the 75th minute, before Alvaro Dominguez tapped home at the back post from a corner three minutes later.
The result lifts Gladbach, who earlier confirmed the signing of winger Andre Hahn from Augsburg, to sixth, three points shy of the top four, while Hamburg remain two points adrift of safety.
In the day's other match, Werder Bremen netted a late winner to leapfrog opponents Hannover and boost their chances of Bundesliga survival in a match that ended 2-1.
The sides had been level on points heading into the weekend, and it was hosts Hannover who broke the deadlock just before the break through a long-rang Szabolcs Huszti free-kick.
Franco Di Santo found himself unmarked in the penalty area in the 57th minute as he found the space to pull Bremen level, before Sebastian Prodl charged into the penalty area to head home from a corner and complete the comeback in the 90th minute.
The win sees Bremen climb eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Hannover drop to 13th with a five-point cushion.
The Bavarians revealed the Spain international has suffered a ligament tear in his knee on Saturday, with his World Cup participation now in doubt
Thiago Alcantara could miss the rest of Bayern Munich's season after tearing a ligament in his knee in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim, casting his chances of featuring in the World Cup into doubt.
The Spain international was forced off just 25 minutes into Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim and the Bavarians have now confirmed that the ex-Barcelona starlet will be out until at least mid-May and possibly until June.
"The first suspicions have unfortunately been confirmed," a statement on Bayern's website read. "Thiago picked up a tough injury in the 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim.
"After an MRI scan the diagnosis is now clear: Thiago has an extensive partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee knee.
"The Spaniard will be in a cast for 14 days. Overall, the summer signing will miss six-to-eight weeks. Thiago will definitely miss the two quarter-finals of the Champions League against Manchester United as well as possible semi-finals."
Thiago could make a return in time to feature in the Champions League final, should the European champions reach their third consecutive showpiece event, but it is unlikely he will be fit enough to be thrown into the starting XI even if he is.
Saturday was a disappointing day for Bayern as they also saw their 19-game winning streak in the Bundesliga come to an end, with Hoffenheim earning a 3-3 draw at the Allianz Arena.
However, coach Pep Guardiola rested a number of key players ahead of Tuesday's last-eight first-leg clash with Man Utd at Old Trafford.
Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne says the high-flying German outfit have their sights set on securing a European berth.
Dieter Hecking's men have enjoyed an improved run of results since a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in early March.
Since that disastrous outing, Wolfsburg have gone on a four-game unbeaten streak, which has included wins against Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt.
As a result, the 2008-09 Bundesliga champions sit just one point adrift of the final UEFA Champions League qualification spot that is occupied by Bayer Leverkusen, who are woefully short of form with just one win from their last eight league games.
"We're giving it a go. The fact is, we want to get into Europe," De Bruyne told the Bundesliga's official website.
"If it's the Champions League then all the better, but we're going to need a bit of luck for that as well, preferably starting next week at Dortmund. That's going to be a very difficult game."
De Bruyne played a leading role in Wolfsburg's victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on the weekend, setting up Ivica Olic for the team's equaliser before Brazilian defender Naldo scored the winner with a last-minute blockbuster.
But De Bruyne, who secured a move to the Volkswagen Arena in January after a frustrating spell under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, says there is still room for improvement.
"I'm very self-critical, maybe even my own biggest critic, so I'm never really totally satisfied," said the Belgium international.
"I think I can do a lot better, and that's what I'm working on."
De Bruyne, who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Werder Bremen last season, has racked up four assists in 10 Bundesliga games since returning to Germany.
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted that Toni Kroos will remain with the club next season.
Kroos' contract with the Bundesliga champions expires at the end of next season and has so far not agreed to a new deal.
A potential transfer away from the Allianz Arena has been mooted, with Premier League side Manchester United - who face Bayern in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Tuesday - linked with the midfielder.
The 24-year-old has previously hinted that he would be keen to play in England, but Rummenigge has moved to end the speculation over Kroos' future.
"Toni Kroos is sure to play in a Bayern Munich shirt next year as well," Rummenigge said ahead of Bayern's clash at Old Trafford.
Kroos has established himself as a regular with Bayern and was a key part of the side that won the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal last season.
The Germany international has made 41 appearances in all competitions for Bayern this term, scoring three goals.
The German Football Association (DFB) are investigating remarks made by Nuremberg coach Gertjan Verbeek after the 3-2 loss at Freiburg.
Verbeek's side are just two points above the Bundesliga relegation zone after suffering their fifth defeat in sixth matches, Felix Klaus scoring the winner for the hosts in a game that saw both teams score from the penalty spot.
Nuremberg defender Emanuel Pogatetz - who scored the opener after six minutes - was sent off in injury time of Saturday's clash for a second bookable offence.
And Dutchman Verbeek was quick to direct his anger at referee Jochen Drees, telling Sky that his side had been "playing against 12 men".
The 51-year-old also took issue with opposition boss Christian Streich, who he believed influenced the referee's decisions with "shameful, brutal and disrespectful behaviour".
And Verbeek's words have drawn the ire of the DFB, who have invited the former Feyenoord and AZ boss to explain himself before making a decision on a potential punishment.
A statement on the DFB website read: "The control committee of the German Football Association (DFB) has launched an investigation against Gertjan Verbeek. The coach of Bundesliga club Nuremberg is under suspicion for unsportsmanlike comments about referee Jochen Drees in the aftermath of Nuremberg's Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg on 29 March 2013 (2014).
"The panel has now asked Verbeek for a timely explanation. Following the receipt of the explanation, the committee will decide on the continuation of the procedure."
Bayern's success down to weak Bundesliga rivals, claims Basler
By Myfanwy Garman
Apr 1, 2014 6:18:00 PM
The former Roten midfielder feels sides such as Borussia Dortmund surrendered their league challenge too meekly this season but admits Pep Guardiola's team is "outstanding"
Mario Basler believes that Bayern Munich's dominance in the Bundesliga is largely down to the weaknesses of their domestic rivals.
Bayern won their 24th title in record time after beating Hertha Berlin 3-1 last week and they have not suffered a Bundesliga defeat in 18 months, and while he acknowledges the "outstanding" team at Pep Guardiola's disposal, Basler believes too many top sides in Germany are lagging behind the champions.
"Seeing as Borussia Dortmund have lost seven matches this season, it's partly down to the weaknesses of their rivals," Basler told bundesliga.com on reflection of Bayern's season.
"Bayern have an outstanding team and win all their games, while the others are lagging behind.
"If you lose seven matches and draw several other games – like Dortmund did against Schalke recently – Bayern will dominate because they win the majority of theirs."
The 45-year-old, who played for die Roten from 1996-1999, has also claimed that the German outfit have every chance of repeating their treble feat from last season.
"I don't think they're going to lose many more this season. They will maintain their level of performance and finish the season strongly," he added.
"I think Bayern are capable of winning the treble again."
Bayern Munich face Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday.
Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka has confirmed that on-loan defender Johan Djourou will remain at the club beyond the end of the season.
Switzerland centre-back Djourou joined Hamburg in a temporary switch with a reported view to a permanent move from Premier League side Arsenal in July.
The 27-year-old has made 22 appearances for Hamburg this season but has been unable to prevent them from enduring a nightmare campaign.
Slomka's arrival in February made him the third permanently appointed coach of the season after Thorsten Fink and his replacement Bert van Marwijk both paid the price for the side's poor form.
Hamburg are second bottom of the Bundesliga with six games to play, but the club appear to have been suitably impressed with the efforts of Djourou.
Slomka said: "I am happy that he's staying with us for the next few years as he's a stabilising influence at the centre of our defence."
No details of the deal have been released, although local media reports have indicated that Djourou has agreed a contract that will keep him with Hamburg until 2016.
Bayer Leverkusen's Emir Spahic has been fined €15,000 by the German Football Association (DFB) for a hand gesture made in a Bundesliga game.
In the 1-1 draw with Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday, the defender is found to have made a gesture towards two opposing players.
Not seen by the referee, the DFB has taken retrospective action and handed the 33-year-old a €15,000 fine, which Spahic has accepted.
A statement on the DFB wesbite read: "The sports court of the German Football Association (DFB) has found Emir Spahic of Bayer Leverkusen guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.
"Spahic, after 89 minutes of the Bundesliga match between Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Braunschweig on March 29 2014, stretched his right middle finger and pointed towards two Braunschweig players.
"Emir Spahic has agreed to the judgment, and the judgment is now final."
There's no war between Bayern & Dortmund, insists Watzke
By Stefan Coerts
Apr 2, 2014 11:00:00 AM
The BVB supremo has stressed that there's no problem between last year's Champions League finalists and added that FCB never saved his side from bankruptcy
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has insisted that his club are not at war with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
The relationship between both sides has deteriorated following the transfers of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski and the war of words between BVB coach Jurgen Klopp and Bayern director Matthias Sammer.
Nevertheless, Watzke has insisted there is no need for peace talks.
"We are not at war with Bayern, so we do not need any peace talks," Watzke was quoted as saying by TZ.
"We are each other's rivals, though. We should not act as if we love each other because that's not the case. And nobody on either side can expect something like that."
Watzke then went on to dismiss suggestions that Bayern saved Dortmund from bankruptcy earlier in the 21st century.
"This is all a myth. Bayern loaned €2 million to my predecessor against an eight per cent interest. It's not like Bayern were Mother Teresa.
"This €2m eventually didn't help us. My first job was to repay the €2m, which had disappeared by then.
"Loaning money from another club was one of the biggest mistakes ever made. As long as I'm in charge, I would rather beg for money on the streets than take another club's money."
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has leapt to the defence of head coach Sami Hyypia and claims the team have let him down.
Leverkusen have managed just one win in the past eight Bundesliga matches, leaving the club's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in the balance.
Hyypia's charges currently sit fourth in the final Champions League spot, but fifth-placed Wolfsburg are a solitary points adrift, while Borussia Monchengladbach are just three behind.
It marks a stark contrast to the first half of the campaign when Leverkusen were challenging Borussia Dortmund for second and Hyypia has faced criticism for the downturn in form, which culminated in a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to bottom-of-the-table Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday.
However, Leno has backed the Finn and called on the squad to improve their performances under the former Liverpool defender.
"We have let the coach down," Leno told Kicker. "We owe a lot to him. We set us up, we have implemented nothing.
"He has tried everything, and we provide a disaster such as the one against Braunschweig.
"We have to play for him now. We have let Sami down."
Leverkusen will look for a swift response to the disappointing performance against Branschweig when they visit relegation-threatened Hamburg on Friday.
Bundesliga Preview: Braunschweig eye relegation boost against strugglers Hannover
2 April 2014
Eintracht Braunschweig could move off the bottom of the Bundesliga if they continue their recent resurgence against Hannover on Sunday.
Torsten Lieberknecht's men had looked all-but certain to return to the German second tier but have enjoyed a turnaround in fortunes since the new year.
Braunschweig have lost just once in their last six games, taking points off Borussia Monchengladbach, Mainz and most recently Bayer Leverkusen in the process.
Their recent success has given them a fighting chance of beating the drop and they will fancy their chances against a Hannover side desperate to stop the rot after three straight league defeats.
Losses against Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen have kept them in touching distance of their relegation rivals, with both sides likely to be affected by results elsewhere at the bottom on Friday and Saturday.
Braunschweig are able to move 16th with a win while Hannover could be dragged further into the relegation mire, with 17th-place Hamburg contesting the first fixture of the weekend that affects the relegation mix-up.
Mirko Slomka's charges host fourth-place Bayer Leverkusen at the Imtech Arena on Friday while Stuttgart can move within two points of Freiburg with a victory over Christian Streich's men.
Freiburg have been the form side of late at the bottom of the Bundesliga, taking 10 points from their last possible 15 while they also leapfrogged Nuremberg last week thanks to a 3-2 win at the Mage Solar Stadion.
Nuremberg will likely have their work cut out when they host Borussia Monchengladbach but can count on the hot streak of Swiss striker Josip Drmic, who has shouldered much of their goalscoring burden in recent weeks.
The 21-year-old has five goals to his name from the last four outings, helping him rub shoulders with the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Robert Lewandowski and Adrian Ramos at the top of the scoring charts.
After a positive start to his reign at Stuttgart, Huub Stevens' honeymoon period is well and truly over and he will be keen to bolster hopes of keeping the club in the Bundesliga when they welcome Freiburg.
European hopefuls Wolfsburg can take advantage of any potential slip-ups from Monchengladbach and Leverkusen when they travel to Borussia Dortmund - with the home side eager to wrap up second place amid pressure from Schalke.
Jens Keller's side travel to Werder Bremen looking to salvage local pride and deny rivals Dortmund second place, while champions Bayern Munich can keep their hopes of a record points tally alive against Augsburg.
The weekend's final game sees Hoffenheim and Hertha Berlin meet in the capital with neither side having much to play for in mid-table.
Borussia Monchengladbach defender Alvaro Dominguez has quelled speculation of a close-season exit from the Bundesliga outift.
The 24-year-old has made 15 appearances in the German top flight this season, helping the team to challenge for a spot in the UEFA Champions League with Gladbach in sixth spot, just three points adrift of fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
However, questions about Dominguez's future were raised after reports surfaced that he may contemplate a move at the end of the campaign.
Dominguez has now moved to clarify his position and believes that it was a misunderstanding.
Speaking to Kicker, he said: "At the moment I do not think about a change, I am happy.
"(It) was a little misunderstanding. I have mentioned that I could imagine in the future, in a few years, to try new things."
Dominguez has plied his trade in Germany since June 2012, after beginning his career in La Liga with Atletico Madrid.
Bayern Munich full-back Diego Contento will miss Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Augsburg due to an ankle ligament injury.
The 23-year-old has featured on nine occasions in the league for the Bundesliga champions this season.
Contento started in the 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, with coach Pep Guardiola rotating his squad with the league title already assured and a UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with Manchester United to follow.
However, the German is set for a spell on the sidelines, though Bayern did not specify how long he would be out for.
"Pep Guardiola will be without Diego Contento for Augsburg (ligament injury in his left ankle). Get well soon," Bayern posted on their official Twitter account.
Contento has risen through the ranks at Bayern, but has largely played second fiddle to the likes of captain Philipp Lahm and regular left-back David Alaba.
Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed the signing of Aleksandar Ignjovski from Werder Bremen on a three-year deal, to begin next season.
The Serbia international has spent the last three seasons at Bremen after two campaigns on loan at 1860 Munich from OFK Beograd, but has agreed a deal to move to Frankfurt at the end of the current campaign.
Ignjovski has made 12 Bundesliga appearances for Bremen so far this year, and Frankfurt sporting director Bruno Huebner was delighted with his capture.
"We are very happy that the transfer has gone through," he said.
"At 23, Aleksandar has already considerable experience and can be deployed in several positions.
"He can play in the defensive midfield or as a full-back."
Wolfsburg can boost their European hopes with victory over a bruised Borussia Dortmund side recovering from a midweek loss to Real Madrid.
Following a run of four games without defeat, Wolfsburg sit just outside the UEFA Champions League places - a point behind fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
Anything other than a Leverkusen victory at Hamburg on Friday would allow Wolfsburg to move into the top four and improve their chances of reaching Europe's premier club competition for only the second time in their history.
While they face a Dortmund side second in the table, eager to finish above rivals Schalke, Jurgen Klopp's men could still be reeling from Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League loss at the Bernabeu.
Not only did the defeat highlight how much injuries have hampered Dortmund this term, compared to last season when they beat Real over two legs, it also saw goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller and midfielder Marco Reus pick up further knocks.
They are doubts for Klopp as he looks to help secure Dortmund's place in next season's Champions League against a Wolfsburg team who won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Volkswagen Arena.
That loss was the second of three in a row during November for Dortmund, whose form has been generally impressive since the turn of the year.
And Klopp is determined to ensure that his side finish runners-up behind Bayern Munich.
"We want to finish second, I've said (before). I couldn't care less who finishes third," he said.
"Wolfsburg have some tough games coming up, not just against us. There is pressure on every game right now."
Having recovered from a blip at the start of March, which saw them ship 12 goals in two games against Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg have steadied the ship somewhat.
Dieter Hecking's charges have not tasted defeat against Dortmund in their last three meetings and the coach is eager to secure Champions League qualification.
"We want to be fourth. We want to seize the opportunity," he said this week.
Experienced striker Ivica Olic, who scored the winner when the sides last met, echoed the thoughts of his coach, saying: "Of course, it would be a great dream if we can achieve that at the end of the season.
Dante has warned Augsburg there is no chance Bayern Munich they will take their eye off the ball in Saturday's clash at SGL arena.
The Bavarian giants have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title and their priority now is undoubtedly the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United.
Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by the Premier League side at Old Trafford on Tuesday and are strongly fancied to progress to the last four of the competition they won last season.
Coach Pep Guardiola is expected to make changes for this weekend's Bavarian derby with one eye on the return fixture against David Moyes' side on Wednesday.
But defender Dante, who was suspended for the draw with United, stressed that the German and European champions will be going all out for three points against Markus Weinzierl's men.
"The best way of preparing for the return leg against Manchester United is to put on a good display at Augsburg," he told Bayern's official website.
"Although we're already champions we don't want to give anything away by taking our foot off the gas. At the end of the day it's a derby. We need to keep focused and win it for our fans."
Bayern broke Hamburg's record for the longest unbeaten run in Bundesliga history when they beat Augsburg 3-0 back in November and they have still not lost in the league since then, meaning their streak now stands at 53 matches.
Guardiola's side have also beaten Augsburg 2-0 away in the DFB-Pokal in each of the last two seasons and Brazil international Dante has seen enough of this weekend's opponents to expect a stern test.
"I remember the cup ties at their place. They were always tricky," he added.
Bayern will be without left-back Diego Contento after he sustained ankle ligament in training ahead of the first leg against United.
Striker Mario Mandzukic and midfielder Mario Gotze will be hoping to earn recalls after starting on the bench at Old Trafford.
Augsburg's push for a place in Europe has hit the buffers in recent weeks as they are now without a win in four league games.
They were beaten 3-0 at Mainz last Saturday and have picked up just one point from a possible 12, a poor run that has left them in eighth place.
Midfielders Tobias Werner and Andre Hahn miss out due to suspension.
Coach Rehhagel awarded German lifetime achievement award
Former Werder Bremen and Greece coach Otto Rehhagel became the fourth German manager to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the country's football association (DFB) on Thursday.
Reuters – Thur, Apr 3, 2014
Otto Rehhagel (Reuters)
The 75-year-old, whose biggest success was leading Greece to the Euro 2004 title, spent 14 years at Werder Bremen and also coached Kaiserslautern and Bayern Munich among other teams.
"Otto Rehhagel has left his mark on German football with his incomparable way," said DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach.
"He won a string of titles with Werder Bremen, won the sensational title with newly promoted Kaiserslautern in 1998 and made history by winning the Euro 2004 title with outsiders Greece."
"Otto is a great personality and an absolute role model."
Having played in the inaugural Bundesliga season in 1963, Rehhagel started his coaching career in 1972.
He won the German Cup with Fortuna Dusseldorf in 1980 before taking over Werder in 1981.
He won two Bundesliga titles and two German Cups with them as well as the European Cup Winners Cup in 1992.
Most Germans had written off the hard-talking disciplinarian, known also for his off-the-cuff remarks, after an unsuccessful spell at Bayern Munich who sacked him four days before the 1996 UEFA Cup final.
But he came straight back and clinched another Bundesliga title in 1998 with Kaiserslautern, which became the first team to win promotion and the championship in successive seasons.
Rehhagel left his best for last, enjoying shock international success with Greece in 2004.
He also led the country to the 2010 World Cup before retiring after a brief spell at Hertha Berlin in 2012.
Bayern Munich's former coach Dettmar Cramer, Udo Lattek who also coached Bayern, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Barcelona and former women's national team coach Gero Bisanz are the other winners of the award.
Hamburg climbed out of the relegation zone after Heiko Westermann's stunning late volley helped them beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 on Friday.
Mirko Slomka's side begun the day just two points ahead of the rock-bottom Eintracht Braunschweig but moved out of the bottom three with a hard-fought home win, as Leverkusen's struggles continued.
Hakan Calhanoglu gave the hosts the early lead with a stunning strike from distance but his good work was undone by a howler from Hamburg's ex-Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler.
Teenage forward Julian Brandt saw his 25-yard effort from distance dropped by Adler, who could only watch helplessly as it hit the back of the net.
The 17-year-old's goal – his first in the Bundesliga – came just before the hour-mark but Hamburg still had time to find a winner.
And an unlikely source provided it, as defender Westermann thrashed home an 82nd-minute volley from Dennis Diekmeier's cross that left Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno with no chance.
Hamburg claimed the lead in the fourth minute thanks to Calhanoglu's piece of individual brilliance.
The 20-year-old midfielder received the ball from Rafael van der Vaart before hitting a stunning long-range strike with his right foot.
The goal – which hit the bottom left corner of the net – was Calhanoglu's ninth of the season but Leverkusen nearly produced a quick response.
Stefan Kiessling saw his fierce strike well saved by Adler, just two minutes after they had conceded, and he nodded a header just wide as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.
Adler again saved well to keep out Heung-Min Son before the break but Brandt did eventually draw Leverkusen level – albeit with a large slice of luck.
Westermann's late effort looked to have sealed the win, but Adler was called on in stoppage time to make a great save to keep out Emre Can.
Adler came off his line to deny Can, who spurned his one-on-one chance, allowing Hamburg to move to 15th with their victory.
Leverkusen have now won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, but still sit fourth.
The former Liverpool defender has paid the price after a dreadful run of just three wins in 14 Bundesliga games for the Champions League hopefuls
Bayer Leverkusen have announced the sacking of coach Sami Hyypia on the back of their 2-1 defeat to lowly Hamburg.
The Bundesliga club have endured a woeful run of form, which has seen them pick up just three wins from their last 14 games, culminating in another defeat on Friday.
The result leaves the club in increasing danger of missing out on Champions League qualification. Both Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach can leapfrog Leverkusen in the table if they win their games in hand this weekend.
Reports have suggested youth coach Sascha Lewandowski will now take charge of the team until the end of the season, having previously worked with the first team last term.
Hyypia took charge of Leverkusen in May 2012 but has been heavily criticised since the turn of the year, with the club suffering a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The 40-year-old's contract was due to expire in the summer of 2015.
