The latest controversy surrounding Germany's charismatic defence minister emerged when a Bremen University law professor began writing a review of the dissertation which was published two years ago, with the aid of internet search engines.
Schalke are third after they sealed a 2-1 win over Stuttgart as ex-Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi hit the second-half winner and Werder Bremen are fourth after a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim -- with goalkeeper Tim Wiese saving a first-half penalty from Carlos Eduardo after only 14 minutes.
In other European football action Friday, Roma saw their hopes of European qualification dented with a 4-2 home loss to Cagliari, while Werder Bremen beat Hannover 2-0 in a mid-table clash in Germany.