Hamburg forward Paolo Guerrero is expected to face punishment after hurling a plastic water bottle at a jeering fan following the team's 0-0 draw against Hanover 96.

As Hamburg was leaving the soccer pitch, a man in the audience insulted Guerrero, who reacted by throwing the bottle, striking the fan in the head.

"This cannot happen even though there was extreme abuse," said Hamburg Coach Bruno Labbadia. "We will talk to the player."

"It’s unacceptable, and we will make sure he is punished," said club president Bernd Hoffmann.

The technical director of the German Football Federation (DFB), said that Guerrero could also face sanctions from them.

"One must keep one's emotions under control. And I don't need to mention the importance of players serving as role models," said Matthias Sammer.

But teammate Frank Rost downplayed Guerrero's behavior.

"That throw was right on target. The New York Yankees should draft him," Rost said.

Winless in Bundesliga

Second-from-bottom Hanover held hosts Hamburg to a goalless draw. Dennis Aogo's shot against the bar in the 26th minute "was the only notable chance."

Hamburg have additional motivation in the Europa League with the final set to be played at their home stadium on May 12.

Wolfsburg shines

Wolfsburg trashed Hoffenheim on Sunday 4-0 to keep alive their hopes for a place in next season's Europa League. Edin Dzeko scored twice, heading the opener in the 25th minute.

After goals by Andrea Barzagli and Zvjezdan Misimovic, Dzeko again got lucky to seal Hoffenheim's fate in the 75th minute.

The Wolfsburg scorer is now even on 18 goals with the Bundesliga's other top two scorers, Kevin Kuranyi of Schalke and Leverkusen's Stefan Kiessling.

The victory is likely to boost Wolfsburg's confidence ahead of their Europa League match against Britain's Fulham later this week. Wolfsburg lost 2-1 in the first leg at Fulham and need all the energy they can muster to keep their European chances alive.

Last season's champions Wolfsburg are now ranked ninth in the Bundesliga with 43 points. To secure a spot in next year's Europa League, they have to climb up to fifth.

In the weekend's top match on Saturday, Bayern Munich returned to the top of the German Bundesliga by clinching a 2-1 win away from home at the ground of their closest challengers Schalke.

svs/ rb/dpa/AFP
Editor: Chuck Penfold