Hamburg failed to win in the Bundesliga for the seventh game running as they were held by Hoffenheim at a rain-swept HSV Arena.

Bruno Labbadia's side looked confident early on after their midweek UEFA Europa League success, but their dominance lasted only 30 minutes, and failed to produce a goal.

Hoffenheim created even fewer chances in difficult conditions, but did enough to earn a valuable away point which kept them in touch with the top three.

Hamburg showed no sign of tiredness after their midweek 2-0 victory over Rapid Vienna as they took the game to the visitors in the early stages.

David Jarolim had an excellent chance to put the home team ahead in the 12th minute, but he could never get the ball under control with only Timo Hildebrand to beat and the Hoffenheim goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save.

Hildebrand was worked a little harder by a Piotr Trochowski volley from the edge of the penalty area in the 14th minute which the former Germany international did well to tip over the crossbar.

He chose to punch the next effort from Trochowski as he almost single-handedly kept Hoffenheim in the game over the first half-an-hour.

The visitors weathered the storm and created a few chances of their own towards the end of the first half, with Demba Ba causing problems and creating an opening for Tobias Weis, whose cross was just inches ahead of Carlos Eduardo.

Dennis Aogo came closest to a goal in the second half as his attempted cross looped towards the goal, where Hildebrand only just managed to push the ball behind for a corner.

Neither side looked willing to take risks on a pitch which was becoming increasingly unpredictable as the rain fell heavily.

And the chances dried up as a result as both teams appeared to settle for a point to both stay in contention at the top of the table.