Cottbus dent Hertha's UEFA hopes

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BERLIN, Germany -- Hertha Berlin's hopes of playing European football next season took a blow when they lost 1-0 at home to Energie Cottbus on Friday.

Hertha, looking for a win to climb back level with Nuremberg in the final UEFA Cup qualification spot, fell behind two minutes into the second half when Romanian Sergiu Radu struck from close range.

The result left Hertha in eighth place on 34 points, three behind Nuremberg. Cottbus move up to ninth on 31 points.

Schalke 04, who lead the standings by three points from Werder Bremen, are at home to third-placed VfB Stuttgart in Saturday's big game.

Fourth-placed Bayern Munich travel to Eintracht Frankfurt the same day, while Werder are at home to Mainz on Sunday.

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