Beck boost for Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim captain Andreas Beck has given his club a lift on the eve of their clash with Stuttgart by signing a two-year contract extension. The 24-year-old defender, who joined Hoffenheim from tomorrow's opponents in 2008, will now stay in Sinsheim until 2014. "I am delighted to be able to carry on here at Hoffenheim," Beck said on the club's official website. "The key to me was being able to identify myself with the concept of the club and the coach." Coach Holger Stanislawski added: "Andi is an important cornerstone of our plans and his signature is a very positive signal for our future together."