Hamburg - This week's European Champions league matches could be a further indication that German top clubs Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen are heading in opposite directions.

Bayern are unbeaten in the Champions League and require only a draw at home to Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday to qualify prematurely for the knockout stages.

They lie third in the Bundesliga within striking distance of surprise leaders Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen, whom the both play over the next fortnight.

Bremen, by contrast, face a Champions League exit on Wednesday when they visit Anothorsis Famagusta with no win in the first four games.

Munich - A 46-year-old mother-of-three who is reputed to be Germany's richest woman and has drawn huge publicity in a "gigolo" case has given a rare glimpse of the pressure created by her wealth.

Susanne Klatten, who reported to police in January that a Swiss man romanced her then tried to extort millions of euros from her, has given only one interview about her ordeal. An indictment is expected within weeks.

Mainz, Germany  - Officials spoke of hope as the cornerstone was laid Sunday for a new synagogue in the German city of Mainz, just over 70 years after the old one was destroyed.

The old house of worship was destroyed in the November 9, 1938 pogrom known as Kristallnacht, when Nazis ransacked thousands of Jewish homes, shops and synagogues, destroying many. The rebuilding ceremony comes weeks after ceremonies to commemorate the losses Germany's Jewish community suffered that night.

Hamburg  - VfB Stuttgart fired coach Armin Veh on Sunday after a string of poor Bundesliga results culminated in a 4-1 hammering at VfL Wolfsburg the previous day.

Stuttgart president Erwin Staudt spoke of a "difficult decision." He said that former Germany defender Markus Babbel was now in charge and would hopefully "bring the team back on to the road of success."

Babbel was an assistant coach in Stuttgart after ending his playing career there in 2007. He is now team manager while the daily training is to be conducted by Rainer Widmaier.

Veh, 47, came to Stuttgart in February 2006 and led them to a surprise Bundesliga title in 2007.

Hamburg  - VfB Stuttgart fired coach Armin Veh on Sunday after a string of poor Bundesliga results culminated in a 4-1 hammering at VfL Wolfsburg the previous day.

Stuttgart president Erwin Staudt spoke of a "difficult decision." He said that former Germany defender Markus Babbel was now in charge and would hopefully "bring the team back on to the road of success."

Babbel was an assistant coach in Stuttgart after ending his playing career there in 2007. He is now team manager while the daily training is to be conducted by Rainer Widmaier.

Veh, 47, came to Stuttgart in February 2006 and led them to a surprise Bundesliga title in 2007.

Hamburg  - VfB Stuttgart fired coach Armin Veh on Sunday after a string of poor Bundesliga results culminated in a 4-1 hammering at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, club spokesman Oliver Schraft said.