Sinsheim, Germany  - Forward Vedad Ibisevic has renewed his contract with TSG Hoffenheim by four years until 2013, the Bundesliga club announced on Monday.

Ibisevic, 24, scored 18 goals in 17 matches as Hoffenheim topped the league into the winter break. But he then ruptured the cruciate ligament in his knee to miss the rest of the season in which Hoffenheim eventually finished seventh.(dpa)

Sinsheim, Germany - TSG Hoffenheim have scaled back their aims for the next Bundesliga season in the wake of a free fall from the top in the past months.

Coach Ralf Rangnick told a news conference on Wednesday that club investor Dietmar Hopp did not insist on the team reaching a place in European competition in the 2009-10 campaign.

"The aim is that Hoffenheim develops, that the club becomes a regular Bundesliga member and has nothing to do with relegation," Rangnick said.

Sinsheim, Germany  - Hertha Berlin won 1-0 at slumping TSG Hoffenheim on Friday to keep their German Bundesliga football title hopes alive.

Patrick Ebert scored the winner in the 40th minute, taking up a pass from Marko Pantelic and beating goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand from a tight angle with a shot into the near right corner.

Hoffenheim dominated but failed to get the equalizer, with Hertha goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny saving twice from Sejad Salihovic and substitute Boubacar Sanogo heading against the crossbar.