TSG Hoffenheim 1-4 Schalke 04

Schalke secured their place in the group stage of the Europa League next season with a 4-1 win over Hoffenheim.Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting put Schalke two in front before Mark Uth reduced the arrears.Leroy Sane added a third for Schalke before an own-goal from Fabian Schar completed the scoringThe win ensured Schalke climbed above Hertha Berlin and into fifth which means they do not need to go through the qualifying rounds for the Europa League next season.Huntelaar put Schalke in front with his 12th goal of the season on six minutes, sticking out his right foot to place Younes Belhanda's cross past Jens Grahl, who was making a rare appearance in the Hoffenheim goal.Choupo-Moting made it two eight minutes later when he rounded Grahl and stroked in his sixth goal of the season.The Royal Blues appeared to be in control of the game until Andrej Kramaric pulled the ball across for Uth to reduce the deficit before half-time.Hoffenheim thought they had levelled early in the second half when Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann only just managed to keep the ball out, with goal-line technology making the decision for the referee by a hair's breadth.Sane added a third for Schalke, turning Ermin Bicakcic left and then right before nudging the ball past Grahl.An own-goal from Schar late on completed the scoring and allowed Schalke's players to look forward to a longer summer holiday without the need to report early for pre-season training in preparation for Europa League qualifiers.ends