Lots up for Grabs in Final Bundesliga Week

The Royal Blues from Schalke suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat against their most bitter rivals Dortmund at home last week. Ralf Rangnick's side lie in second place on 60 points --seemingly certain for the second definitive Champions League spot given to a German team.

Dortmund's Lars Ricken celebrates after scoring as Schalke's player Gerald Asamoah (right) looks on last Saturday

But if Schalke looses on the road against last place Freiburg -- against whom they have only won two of their last nine games -- and Stuttgart and Hertha win, Schalke fans will experience another nightmare. Instead of the Champion's League, they'll have to settle for the UEFA Cup tournament next season.

"Our destiny is in our own hands," said Rangnick. "If we beat Freiburg we finish second and crown a fine season."

Dortmund, who at winter break were just four points clear of the relegation zone, have put together the second best second leg and could actually capture a UEFA Cup spot. The Bundesliga has gained an extra spot since both Bayern and Schalke are in the German Cup final.

BVB (52 points) play at home against relegated side Rostock but need help from Gladbach who must beat Leverkusen, currently holding the final UEFA Cup slot on 54 points.

The final three matches in the 34th week of the season pit teams lying in the middle to the bottom of the standings, and hence, are not playing for much but a good start in the next season.

Hamburg lost its bid last week to scrap for a chance to play in the UEFA Cup. They host Bochum who will play in the second division next season. Bochum have won only one time at Hamburg.

Wolfsburg, the team that was, after Bayern Munich, the most weeks at the top of the standings (all in the first leg), travel to Bielefeld. In seven previous meetings, Bielefeld has managed to find the net just one time.

Nuremberg's Marek Mintal has been a formidable goalscorer this season and is just one game away from winning the Golden Boot

Finally, Nuremberg actually has something (or someone) to play for in their last match. Slovak midfielder Marek Mintal watched how Bayern's Roy Makaay pulled to within two goals of him (23 strikes) in the quest for the goal-scoring crown, the Golden Boot. A win against Mainz would also push them past the suprising team from the Rhine city. which trumped all expectations and managed to stay on in the Bundesliga for next season.