体坛英语新闻：Grafite's hat-trick shoots down Schalke

BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian striker Grafite's hat-trick hot down German football powerhouse Schalke 04 4-3 for Wolfsburg on Friday, elevating the "Wolves" to the second place at Bundesliga table.

    Thanks to the thrilling home victory, Wolfsburg extended their winning run to six matches, while Schalke 04, who fired general manager Andreas Mueller this week, were still struggling in the 8th place.

    However, it is the guest to open the goal in Wolfsburg.

    After nine minutes, Heiko Westermann's dipping shot from the edge of the box sneaked in off the far post for Schalke.

    Grafite leveled the score in the 25th with a penalty he was awarded after being brought down by Mladen Krstajic.

    He then turned provider and set up striker Edin Dzeko's 13th Bundesliga goal of the season with a well-timed cross which the Bosnian fired home at the far post just before the break.

    Grafite scored again from close range to make 3-1 in the 74th before Jermaine Jones pulled one back for the visitors two minutes later.

    Grafite sealed the points for Wolfsburg six minutes from time when he slid the ball into the goal from close range.

    Kevin Kuranyi scored Schalke's third deep into stoppage time but his goal did nothing to improve coach Rutten's standing with the fans who want him to leave after a disappointing season.