German soccer clubs gloomy at European League openers

BERLIN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Three German soccer clubs saw gloomy start at their European League openers on Thursday.

German soccer powerhouse Hamburger SV was crushed by Rapid Vienna 3-0, while Hertha Berlin played 1-1 against Latvian club FKVentspils and Werder Bremen managed a last minute 3-2 victory over Nacional Funchal.

Hamburg started highly motivated but were ineffective to exploit its chances in Vienna. Rapid Vienna was well organized in defense and waited for Hamburg's failures.

Viennas midfielder Steffen Hofmann opened the scoring at the 35th minute by a direct free kick goal. Hamburg was shocked and unable to fight back later on.

Nine minutes later Viennas striker Nikica Jelavic slotted in from 3 meters after Hamburgers goalkeeper Frank Rost deflected the ball to Jelavic.

After interval Hamburg pressed hard but was unable to find a gap in Viennas defense to score. On the contrary the team of Vienna tripled the score after midfielder Christopher Drazan hammered from 22 meters into net.

Also on Thursday, Hertha Berlin showed harmless performance against Latvian underdog FK Ventspilsan at home, they couldn't produce more than one goal.

At 34th minute Berlins midfielder Lukasz Pisczek opened the scoring with a poacher's goal, after Ventspils goalkeeper couldn't save the ball properly.

Hertha did not wake up after the lead, while the guest team managed to equalize after interval at the 48th minute.

Striker Edgar Gauracs scored after he was assisted by midfielder Igor Tigirlas. Ventspils went on playing confidently and had even good chances to increase the scoring.

Thursday's third German game in European League was played by Werder Bremen against Nacional Funchal in Portugual. Bremen dominated the game from the beginning.

Bremen midfielder and German international Thorsten Frings opened the scoring after he converted a penalty at the 39th minute. At the 55 minute Peruvian striker Claudio Pizzaro doubled the lead, after he was assisted by striker Aaron Hunt.

With the second score it looked like a calming lead for the guest. But soon the balance tipped to the host as Nacional Funchal leveled the scores, one by defender Felipe Lopes at the 68th minute and the other by defender Rafik Halliche at the 75 minute.

Werder woke up and showed all their strength and managed a goal at the 85th minute from striker Claudio Pizzaro's 17-meter shot.