Schalke up to second, Stuttgart revival continues

BERLIN (Reuters) - Schalke 04 moved up to second place in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win at home to Hansa Rostock on Saturday as resurgent Stuttgart beat Hamburg SV by the same score.

Schalke, who lost 1-0 at home to Barcelona in a Champions League quarter-final first leg in midweek, improved their chances of returning to the competition next season thanks to a Halil Altintop goal early in the second half.

Hamburg, who started the day in second, drop a place after a Roberto Hilbert volley consigned them to defeat in Stuttgart.

Bayern Munich, who lead with 54 points, have the chance to take a big step closer to a 21st league title when they host Bochum on Sunday. Schalke are second on 48, with Hamburg on 47 clinging on to the final Champions League place.

Werder Bremen are behind them on goal difference after an important 2-1 win away to Hertha Berlin, while Stuttgart, last season's champions, climb to fifth on 45.

The match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Nuremberg was held up for 20 minutes in the first half when the referee ordered the players off because of fireworks being let off from the crowd.