Video: Goalfest marks Bundesliga return from winter break

It was the type of game that could lead you to ironically claim “the Bundesliga is back,” Germany’s top division returning from its winter break with a shootout in Gelsenkirchen. But the league would have been back even if Schalke-Hannover finished 0-0 (a result that’s never happened in league between the two teams). That instead we got nine goals in our first Bundesliga match in 33 days prompts the irony:

The Bundesliga is back, baby!

For 43 minutes, that two clubs failed to match the output that’s produced 21 goals in their last six meetings. Then the explosion started. Just before halftime, Peruvian Jefferson Farfan (pictured) broke the deadlock, priming the teams for an eight-goal second half that left Jens Keller’s team 5-4 winners. Schalke got goals from future Spur Lewis Holtby and 19-year-old Julian Draxler while Hannover was pushed by a double from former Zenit attacker Szabolcs Huszti.

There is a minority of fans under the misconception that this result isn’t that uncommon in the Bundesliga. On the contrary, it’s rare enough to justify a “let’s stop and look at this” post. Nine goals to usher the league back in from break? It’s practically a declaration of intent.

Here are the highlights:

The result temporarily pushes Schalke fifth, on track to regain a Champions League spot after the downturn that cost Huub Stevens his job. For a Steve Cherundolo-less Hannover (out injured), the loss keeps them 11th, which isn’t as bad as it sounds. They’re only five back of Schalke.