SPORT / SOCCER
Bayern celebrate, Braunschweig and Nuremberg relegated
Published: May 11, 2014 08:55 AM Updated: May 11, 2014 10:25 AM
Bayern Munich celebrated their 24th Bundesliga title after a last-gasp 1-0 win over Stuttgart while Braunschweig and Nuremberg were relegated to the second division at the last round of the Bundesliga season 2013/2014 on Saturday.

The German giants already wrapped the title back in March but on Saturday they received the trophy on home soil following a late victory over Stuttgart. It looked like Bayern would complete the season with a goalless draw but veteran Claudio Pizzaro snatched the late win with a hammer into the bottom right.

The Bavarians controlled the proceedings against Stuttgart that never posed a threat for the hosts. Nonetheless they were able to keep Bayern on distance until the dying minutes of the game as Peruvian international Claudio Pizzaro secured the winner.

Pep Guardiola still has the chance to win the German domestic double as his squad encounters Borussia Dortmund at the German Cup final next week.

Runners-up Borussia Dortmund crushed Berlin 4-0 at the last matchday by courtesy of Robert Lewandowski's brace, who sealed the goal getter trophy with 20 goals in 33 matches.

Berlin were able to hold the pace until the 41st minute before Lewandowski broke the deadlock thanks to the through ball by Mats Hummels. The opener was a wakening call for the visitors that doubled the lead three minutes later through Milos Jojic.

After the restart Dortmund retracted while Berlin lacked in penetration and ideas. Thus Juergen Klopp men added another two goals to make it four on the score sheets thanks to Lewandowski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the closing period.

The "BVB" can still lift a title this season when they beat Bayern at the German Cup final in Berlin.

Third placed Schalke secured their UEFA Champions League place with a 4-1 triumph over Nuremberg to shove the "Club" into the second division.

The "Royal Blues" dominated the game for most of the time and that is how it came that Joel Matip scored the opener by header at the 6th minute. Roman Neustaedter made it two from nine meters before the interval. Julian Draxler tripled the lead before Josip Drmic scored Nuremberg's consolation. However, it was a short-lived joy by Nuremberg as Chinedu Obasi marked the final 4-1 score. With the result Nuremberg were relegated for the eighth time into the second division.

Fourth-placed Leverkusen came from behind against Werder Bremen to ensure their Champions League playoff matches. The "Werkself" defended their fourth place against Wolfsburg thanks to the goals by Oemer Toprak and Heung Min Son.

Bremen caught Leverkusen flat footed as Theodor Gebre Selassie opened the scoring at the 21st minute on the road. Toprak restored parity for Leverkusen when he headed home an assist by Emre Can at the 34th minute. The "Werkself" completed their comeback at the second half when Heung Min Son netted a follow up shot at the 53rd minute.

Fifth-placed Wolfsburg and sixth-placed Monchengladbach booked their tickets for Europe. Despite Monchengladbach's 3-1 loss to the "Wolves" they will play in the Europa League next season. Kevin de Bruyne scored the opener before Monchengladbach's Chirstoph Kramer equalized the scores. Nevertheless, Ivan Perisic and Robin Knoche wrapped up the 3-1 victory on home soil.

Seventh-placed Mainz is the last team that ensured their international ticket next season. Mainz reaped a crucial 3-2 win as they overpowered relegation threatened Hamburg, which still have two games to clinch to the top flight.

Elkin Soto, Yunus Malli and Shinji Okazaki scored the goals for Mainz as Pierre Michel Lasogga and Ivo Ilicevic were on target for the hosts.

Elsewhere, Braunschweig were demoted into the second division following their 3-1 home loss to Hoffenheim. Hannover carved out a 3-2 victory at Freiburg and Augsburg earned a 2-1 triumph over Frankfurt to complete the season.

The Bundesliga starts into the new season 2014/2015 on August 22.