Nikci late strike helps Hanover hold Schalke

Champions League side Schalke were held to a 2-2 draw at Hanover on Sunday as the hosts came from behind on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga’s 50th season. The Royal Blues of Gelsenkirchen will discover their group stage opponents in Thursday’s Champions League draw, but threw away a 2-1 lead at Hanover, who have not lost at home for 18 months. The hosts took the lead via a 43rd-minute header from Brazilian defender Felipe, who was left unmarked in the area. But Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the league’s top scorer last season, levelled for Schalke on 52 minutes with a long-range drive before midfielder Lewis Holtby put the guests ahead 12 minutes later with a superb header. Hanover’s Swiss midfielder Adrian Nikci, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, became the hosts’ hero after converting a crisp pass from ex-Germany striker Jan Schlaudraff 10 minutes from time to claim a point.