Kaiserslautern match called off after manager becomes ill

DARMSTADT, Germany (AP) - Kaiserslautern's game at Darmstadt in the German second division was called off Wednesday after the visiting side's coach suddenly became ill during halftime and was taken to a hospital.

German media reported that Kaiserslautern coach Jeff Strasser had suffered a heart attack.

Medical personnel were attending the scene at the changing rooms during the break, and the game did not restart for the second half.

The stadium announcer asked 17,400 fans in attendance to wait for 10 minutes before saying the game was called off due to a "medical emergency."

Kaiserslautern gave details no details of Strasser's condition, confirming only that the 43-year-old had been taken to a hospital after an ambulance had left the stadium.

Kaiserslautern is last in the second division with 12 points and desperately needed a win against Darmstadt to boost its hopes of escaping relegation. Darmstadt, with 19, is also in danger.

The match was scoreless when it was called off.

Darmstadt wished Strasser a speedy recovery on Twitter, saying, "Though we love football so much, there are so many more important things in life."

Kaiserslautern thanked both sets of fans for their reaction. Fans held scarves aloft and called Strasser's name.

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This story has been corrected to show that the game was called off at halftime, not the second half.