An equalizer nine minutes from time by Daniel Gunkel gave Mainz a well-deserved 2-2 draw at home against Bayer Leverkusen as the two sides opened their 2009/10 Bundesliga campaigns.
The home side started brightly just five minutes in when Tim Hoogland headed home a cross from Andreas Ivanschitz, but a flurry late in the first half saw Leverkusen go 2-1 in front at the break as Eren Derdiyok and Stefan Kießling bagged goals within a minute of each other.
It seemed as if Leverkusen would come away with a road win to start the season, but the pressure of Mainz came through in the 81st minute when Gunkel slammed a wonderful free kick past Rene Adler in the Leverkusen goal, sending the home supporters into frenzy.
Next week, Mainz travel to play Hannover while Leverkusen are at home to Hoffenheim.