BERLIN. Germany -- Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi fired Schalke up to joint second in the Bundesliga, while Bayern Munich have a golden chance to put one hand on the league title if they beat Stuttgart on Sunday. Kuranyi's early goal was enough to give Schalke a vital victory over Champions League rivals Hamburg. Kuranyi's 15th league goal of the season -- after just two minutes -- gave Schalke the three points with a 1-0 win in Hamburg to go level on 54 points with Werder Bremen, who shared a thrilling 3-3 draw at Karlsruhe. After Schalke sacked coach Mirko Slomka a fortnight ago, caretaker coach Mike Bueskens was delighted with the victory over their rivals.
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Kevin Kuranyi's early goal gives Schalke a 1-0 home victory against Hamburg
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Schalke now level in second position with Bremen, who draw 3-3 at Karlsruhe
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Bayern Munich will all but clinch the title with a win over Stuttgart in Sunday
Schalke and @placeholder, who remain second on goal difference, are now nine points behind Bayern with four games left.