Schalke's Jose Manuel Jurado (center) celebrates after scoring with Raul (left) and Christian Fuchs (right) during the Europa League Group?J soccer match between?FC Schalke 04 and Maccabi Haifa in Gelsenkirchen on?Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011.

German club Schalke earned the first victory at European League thanks to defender Christian Fuchs who smoothed the way for the victory with his brace at Schalke Arena on Thursday.

As expected Haifa defended deep to lurk for counter attacks whilst Schalke took over control from kick-off. With only eighty minutes into the match Schalke defender Christian Fuchs opened the scoring when he netted home into bottom right after assistance by striker mate and Dutchmen Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Schalke remained active but Haifa shocked the host with the equalizer through midfielder Idan Vered at the 35th minute.

After the break, Schalke needed some time to find into the match against Haifa but with 25 minutes into second half Schalke defender Fuchs hammered a dead ball goal to give his side the deserved 2-1 lead. At the 81st minute Spaniard Schalke midfielder Jose Manuel Juarado sealed the deal for his side when he scored the final 3-1 score.

It is the first victory under new coach Huub Stevens who signed a coupled of days ago at Schalke.

So with Schalke leads group J with four points followed by Maccabi Haifa with three points, Steaua Bucharest with two points and AEK Lamaka with one point out of two matches.