Hamburg stay in relegation playoff spot after draw with Mainz

BERLIN (Reuters) - Hamburg SV edged closer to a relegation playoff spot for the third time in the last four seasons after a goalless draw against rivals Mainz 05 on Sunday kept them anchored in 16th with two games left in the season.

The former European champions, the only team to have played every season in the Bundesliga since its creation in 1963, failed to win for the fourth straight league match and are now on 34 points. Mainz, also on 34 a spot above them in 15th.

Darmstadt 98 were officially relegated on Saturday after a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich, who have already secured the title. Ingostadt are in 17th, four points behind Hamburg.

Northern club Hamburg had their chances in the first half but also had keeper Christian Mathenia to thank for keeping a clean sheet in a nervous performance.

Hamburg, who barely had a shot on target in a lacklustre second half as Mainz held on for a point, will now face Schalke 04 and VfL Wolfsburg in their last two matches.

Mainz end the season with games against Eintracht Franfurt and Cologne.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Toby Davis)