Bayer Leverkusen have recorded a comfortable victory against Hamburger to ensure that they go into the winter break assured of second place.
Sami Hypia's side took the lead after 26 minutes when Stefan Kiessling got in behind the Hamburg defence and put the home side ahead.
Artjoms Rudnevs came agonisingly close to an instant equaliser for the visitors when he struck the post before Dennis Aogo blasted the rebound wide from close range.
Hamburg were made to pay for that miss 10 minutes before the break when Andre Schurrle latched onto a Kiessling pass to finish coolly and double Leverkusen's advantage.
Kiessling scored his second of the game and 12th of the campaign late on when he made the most of a looping goal kick to lob a bemused Heiko Westermann.
The home side controlled possession in the second half to secure an important victory in their final league match of 2012.
Liam Power
