Record: Werder sell 130,000 jerseys

Werder Bremen and outfitter KAPPA achieved a new superlative during the 2007/2008 Bundesliga season. In the sale of replica shirts, some 130,000 home, away and event jerseys from the KAPPA collection changed hands. During the 2006/2007 season sales reached 85,000. The result was a 53% increase in sales.

“The sale of replica jerseys has made a sensational development and it shows just how strong the Werder Bremen brand has become. In that particular area we are at the very peak in the Bundesliga,” explained Manfred Müller, Werder’s director of marketing and management, and he continued: “We achieved the increased turnover without a title win, which is normally the reason behind such a boost in the sales of fan articles and merchandise.”

For the 2008/2009 season, Werder Bremen and outfitter KAPPA have presented new home, event and goalkeeper kits. The home shirt from last season will function as the away shirt this time around. From the new collection, in just one month, some 10,000 shirts have already been sold in all outlets. Particular favourites are jerseys bearing the names Frings and Diego.

source: werder.de

CARLOS ALBERTO PLAYS DOWN INTER LINK

Werder Bremen midfielder Carlos Alberto admits he is flattered by reported interest from new Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho, but has poured cold water on the idea of linking up with his former boss.

Carlos Alberto has disappeared of the radar somewhat since being signed by Bremen for a club record fee of 7.8 million euros in July 2007.

Fitness and disciplinary problems saw the Brazilian fail to settle at the Bundesliga club and he was sent out on loan a few months later – first to Sao Paulo and then to Botafogo.

Mourinho remains a fan of Carlos Alberto, who was a key part of the Porto team that he guided to the Champions League trophy in 2004, but the 23-year-old insists he is concentrating on Botafogo for the time being.

“I saw that already and I was very happy,” Carlos Alberto told Portuguese newspaper A Bola. “It is natural that he is interested because we have already worked together. He has already praised me.

“I don’t discard the idea that I will be happy to sort out a deal in the future, but at the moment I’m not looking at anything.

“I’m just thinking about Botafogo.”

source: sportinglife.com

Mertesacker Urges Werder Move For Podolski

Mertesacker believes that Podolski has all the attributes to make an impression at the Weserstadion, as the forward seeks to end his difficult Bayern Munich experience.

Podolski scored just ten goals in all competitions last season, as he struggled to oust Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni from the starting line-up.

Recently, the 23-year-old striker has been linked with a potential transfer to some of Europe’s leading lights; Juventus are allegedly heading the queue for his signature.

However, Mertesacker is confident that a move to Werder would be the right choice for Podolski. With a tongue-in-cheek swipe at Bayern Munich, who featured in last season’s UEFA Cup while Werder competed in the Champions League, the central defender opined that Podolski deserves a berth in Europe’s top club competition.

He did however, qualify his request for Podolski’s company by insisting that the forward should declare his interest in joining last season’s Bundesliga runners-up.

He told the Frankfurter Runschau newspaper: “He ought to show his abilities in the Champions League. And with Werder he has the opportunity to do that. But now a signal has to come from him. I can’t always just beg.”

Mertesacker transferred to Werder from home-town club Hannover 96 in the wake of his impressive showing at World Cup 2006, and understands the pressure that Podolski could under from his international colleagues. He suggested that senior players lean on their team-mates in the hope of luring them to their respective clubs.

He continued: “At the World Cup in 2006 I also experienced it (attempts to convince him to join a club), that a few national players asked me about a transfer. They achieved it.”

Mertesacker’s comments were echoed by Werder’s general manager, Klaus Allofs today, who stated that the club would be ‘very interested’ in acquiring the services of the player, with Ivan Klasnic certain to leave this summer.

He said: “Our opinion about the qualities of Lukas Podolski has not changed. We remain convinced that Werder Bremen would have been the right decision for Lukas Podolski.

“But inherent is also that the player himself announces what he wants. Should signals be given, we are very interested.”

TIME TO DELIVER

Mertesacker has become a bed-rock of the Nationmannschaft since making his debut as a 19-year old. He followed his 2006 displays with a consistent qualifying campaign for Euro 2008, and has thus far won 47 caps for his country.

After his World Cup disappointment, when the Germans lost to Italy after extra-time at the semi-final stage, Mertesacker is eager to go one further this time round, and cap a fine tournament with a final appearance.

He told uefa.com: “I have now played 47 internationals and the match on Wednesday will be my second appearance in the semi-finals of a major tournament.

“Unfortunately, we were defeated by Italy at this stage in the 2006 World Cup. But this time, I definitely want to reach the final.

“And as part of the defence, I can play a very important role in that. I want my performance on Wednesday to justify my place in the starting eleven.”

SOLID AT THE BACK

The 23-year-old is part of a German rear-guard that endured a fail deal of criticism before a ball was kicked in Austria or Switzerland. Christoph Metzelder and Jens Lehmann had scarcely featured for their respective club sides last season. Metzelder spent a considerable amount of time out injured while Lehmann was usurped by Manuel Almunia in Arsenal’s goal. With a lack of match practice, the German fans and media expressed reservations at Joachim Low’s first choice backline.

However, the defence has performed consistently thus far at the tournament, something of which Mertesacker is proud.

He continued: “We always have to prove ourselves, there was a lot of discussion (before the tournament) as to whether or not the defence was strong enough. Would the injured players struggle? Who would play in goal? But that is history. Not everything is perfect yet, but we have gelled well and are improving with each game. That’s clear.”

DESPERATE FOR FRINGS

A major concern for the Germans ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final against Turkey is the fitness of Mertesacker’s Werder colleague, Torsten Frings. The midfielder has been out of contention since suffering a cracked rib between the group stages and the quarter-final against Portugal. After being denied the services of the 31-year-old at club level for the majority of last season, Mertesacker is eager for him to return and bolster the line-up.

He said:

“For much of the season we [Bremen] waited for Torsten after he suffered a knee injury. And when he returned, he made a big impact in helping us qualify for the Champions League. Now we wait for him again and are hoping for his help in the fight to reach the final. We are a unit, a team, which has grown even closer since the 2006 World Cup. We definitely don’t want to go out again in the semi-finals.”

source: goal.com

Friendly against member controlled club Fortuna Köln

During their training camp on Norderney, which will take place between July 14th and 20th, 2008, Werder Bremen will take on Fortuna Köln in a friendly game. The traditional club from the south of Cologne will challenge the Champions League participants on Thursday, 17.07.2008 (kick-off 7pm). The game will be played on the East Frisian island at the ‘Alten Mühle’ sport facility.

With the Cologne side, a very special club will be arriving on Norderney with their destiny being controlled by thousands of football fans, which include the film director Sönke Wortmann, who is one of the initiators of the very unique concept in Germany. The members of the club can have direct influence over the management and operations at the historical club SC Fortuna Köln e.V.

Important decisions are met democratically using an online voting system set up on the internet platform www.deinfussballclub.de. Every participant has equal rights, and can only register one time – which means only one vote. Decisions on the purchase of players, personnel questions, club management and all other issues relating to the day-to-day running of the club are made in this way.

For Werder’s friendly game against Turkish first division side Trabzonspor, to be played at the Nordsee-Stadium in Bremerhaven on 02.08.2008 (kick-off 6pm), the organisers have released the dates for the sale of tickets. From Wednesday, 25.06.2008, tickets for the game will be available from the customer centre of the Nordsee-Zeitung, at Tabak & mehr, Bäckerei Brüser, at the OSC Bremerhaven administration centre and at the Kreiszeitung Wesermarsch.

source: werder.de

“Merte” extends with Werder until 2012

Werder Bremen fans welcomed the news from Germany’s EURO camp as national team defender Per Mertesacker extended his contract early for two more years until 30 June 2012. The existing contract would have run out in 2010. Werder’s managing director Klaus Allofs announced the agreement with the 23-year-old interior defender Saturday night.

“By extending his contract early, Per Mertesacker sent an important signal. Signing on for a long-term commitment with Werder shows how highly both sides regard each other. This is another step for us to putting a team together in the future that can live up to our international expectations and establish itself among the European elite level.”

A continued relationship is a matter close to the heart of “Merte”, who held the final talks with Klaus Allofs after the quarter-final victory over Portugal. “We have had some talks since the end of the season. But the exciting sports action did not leave us much time to get things finished. Now it’s that much nicer. It’s a great feeling the success here at the EURO and having the feeling that Werder definitely wants to continue working together with you,” said Mertesacker.

source: werder.de

Bremen to play Matthäus’s men

Werder Bremen are firming up their pre-season training and travel itinerary, and it now includes a meeting with an old familiar.

Sporting director Klaus Allofs confirmed on Thursday that Bremen have arranged two matches for the period of their training camp in Schruns (Austria).

On Thursday 24 August they take on three-time Greek champions Aris Saloniki.

Meeting with Matthäus

Coach Dušan Bajevic will be leading Aris into the UEFA Cup next season thanks to their appearance in the Greek cup final. One familiar face among their ranks is former Borussia Dortmund goalgetter Marcio Amoroso.

Two days later, Bremen have a date with another old acquaintance – Lothar Matthäus. Germany’s record-holder for international appearances took over last month at Israeli league runners-up Maccabi Netanya, and has an early opportunity to test his charges against top Bundesliga opposition.

Both games will take place at the Wagenweg Sportplatz in Schruns, with kick-off scheduled for 18:30.

source: bundesliga.de

Allofs confirms possible Owomoyela transfer

It would appear very likely that Patrick Owomoyela is about to depart Bremen and make a move to Borussia Dortmund. Prior to the fitness check, that Owomoyela will undertake this afternoon, Werder’s general manager Klaus Allofs confirmed the likelihood of the transfer of the former German international to BVB.

“It hadn’t been play to allow Patrick Owomoyela to leave but after some serious consideration, we agreed to grant his wish, and that of Borussia Dortmund. Patrick Owomoyela considers himself to have a better chance of securing a first team place in Dortmund,” explained Allofs, who went on to say that the personal details between the player and the club had already been agreed upon.

Patrick Owomoyela moved to Werder Bremen from Arminia Bielefeld in 2005. Over the past three seasons, the 28 year old made a total of 50 Bundesliga appearances for the Green-Whites. On the European stage, the Hamburg born player also made a total of 30 Champions League and UEFA Cup appearances for Werder.

source: werder.de

“Werder is irreplaceable in the line-up”

Eight players represent Werder Bremen at the EURO 2008. bundesliga.de talks to Werder’s sporting director Klaus Allofs.

bundesliga.de: Klaus Allofs, what is your impression of the EURO 2008?

Klaus Allofs: The impression is a positive one. The stadiums are full, the atmosphere is excellent and all groups are thrilling. It would be unfair to draw a comparison between the Euro and the 2006 World Cup. Back then we had five weeks full of summer heat, now there’s a lot of rain. You can’t plan that.

bundesliga.de: Is there a player or a team that has surprised you?

Allofs: The easy win for Holland against Italy wasn’t to be expected, as was Switzerland’s early exit. I had thought that the home advantage would have a bigger effect. But there have been no big surprises so far, the same goes for individual players. But it’s still early stages. The games that could create new stars are still to come.

bundesliga.de: How do you rate the performances of the Werder players involved?

Allofs: In Clemens Fritz, Torsten Frings and Per Mertesacker we had three Werder players in the German starting line-up. Werder is irreplaceable there looking at the past few years. Our non-German internationals are still very young and have to fight for their place in the team, such as Markus Rosenberg or Hugo Almeida. Martin Harnik has played brave for Austria, we really liked that.

bundesliga.de: Sebastian Prödl will play for Werder next season, is he under special observation?

Allofs: We watch all Werder players at the Euro closely. We’re really looking forward to Sebastian Prödl. We know his great potential, and the Euro surely is a good opportunity for our fans to have a first look at him. I’m sure he’ll do well.

bundesliga.de: You were part of the German team that won the tournament in 1980. What memories do you have?

Allofs: We had an excellent team spirit back then, on and off the pitch. The tournament wasn’t as big as today and the headquarters not as closed. Back then there wasn’t a separation between team and media as it is common today. It was a mixed event with many journalists in the same hotel – ideal for reporters in quests of headlines.

bundesliga.de: You were topscorer in 1980 despite scoring in just one single game, a hat-trick. Who will be topscorer this time around?

Allofs: It would be nice to have a German player. Ahead of the tournament I might have said Luca Toni, but that would be a brave bet following Italy’s poor start.

source: bundesliga.de

Frings On Arsenal’s Radar

With Arsenal seeking a replacement in midfield for AC Milan-bound Mathieu Flamini, Germany star Torsten Frings is on manager Arsene Wenger’s list of transfer targets for this summer, according to The Sun.

The newspaper says that although at 31, Frings is older than Wenger’s usual transfer targets, the midfielder’s experience and style of play could be invaluable to a young Arsenal side seeking their first trophy – an the club’s first since 2005.

It adds that Frings is seen as a versatile midfielder with the toughness and tenacity and to stand up to the rigours of the Premier League.

Frings is currently on Bundlesliga side Werder Bremen’s books, but The Sun reckons he would be available for around £4million.

source: goal.com

Rostock sign Bremen striker on loan

FC Hansa Rostock have added Werder Bremen’s Kevin Schindler to their ranks for the coming season.

The current U-21 international, who is under contract at Bremen until 2011, is moving to the Hanseatics on a one-year loan deal.

Bundesliga experience

Schindler made four of his five Bundesliga appearances overall in the 2007-2008 season.

The 20-year-old forward turned out 25 times in the Regional League for Bremen’s feeder team, notching seven goals.

source: bundesliga.de

Baros Interests Mystery German Clubs

Karim Benzema’s astronomical rise to stardom over the course of the last 12 months has left its casualties. Generally these have been opposing defenders however Czech striker Milan Baros was forced into the shadows at the Stade Gerland as the young forward scored a seemingly endless stream of goals.

A move to England with Portsmouth in January was the net result however Baros failed to fire at Fratton Park. Although a scorer of a goal once every two matches at international level the 26 year-old failed to find the net while with Portsmouth. Ultimately this lack of production was the reason that Harry Redknapp chose not to apply a clause in the loan contract that Portsmouth could buy the forward for €7 million when the initial spell was up.

At Lyon Baros’ record has been better. A return of 7 goals in 24 league matches is far from disastrous however his game time next season will likely be limited due to the form of Karim Benzema and Fred.

Baros therefore wishes to make his stay in the Rhône valley this summer as swift as possible. Two unnamed German clubs are currently interested in the striker, who will use Euro2008 as a shop window for his talents.

Currently Baros is in Switzerland preparing for the Czech Republic’s match with Portugal later today. He was an unused substitute in his country’s opening victory over Switzerland and will hope for more game time against a powerful looking Portuguese side.

Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas has not resigned himself to losing the 26 year-old telling l’Equipe that, “To have three centre-forwards for the next year could be interesting.”

source: goal.com

Jan vows to stay with Bhoys

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has pledged to stay at Parkhead next season.

Feyenoord and German side Werder Bremen have both been credited with an interest in the big Dutchman.

However, Vennegoor of Hesselink has ruled out a move away from Glasgow saying he has set his sights on helping Celtic win their fourth SPL title in a row as well as another crack at the Uefa Champions League.

“Why would I want to leave? Let me make it clear I will be playing for Celtic next season,” Vennegoor of Hesselink told The Sunday Mail.

Speculation

“I know about stories linking me with other clubs but it is just speculation. I’m 29 now and used to rumours at this time of year.

“Celtic are guaranteed Champions League football next season and I want to be part of that.

“It is a fantastic stage to play on and I will not be walking away from that. I also want to try to help the club win another league title.”

source: skysports.com

Frings fresh for a taste of the action

Having just endured a frustrating club season through injury, Germany midfielder Torsten Frings now feels fully fit for on the eve of his country’s opening UEFA EURO 2008™ game, and even believes the enforced absences could work in his favour.

‘Really fresh’
The 31-year-old made only eleven Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen in 2007/08 after suffering three separate knee problems, but he said his motivation during his spell on the sidelines was making it to the tournament in Austria and Switzerland. “It was always clear to me that I wanted to be at the EURO if I could get fit in time,” Frings said ahead of Germany’s Group B opener against Poland in Klagenfurt. “I trained harder than in my whole life and in the end I was able to take part in a few league games as well as the complete preparation for this tournament. I am now fully fit and feel really fresh.”

Blessing in disguise
Frings is not the only member of the Germany squad who has been denied a full season’s action coming into the tournament. Aside from him, the likes of captain Michael Ballack, central defender Christoph Metzelder, goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Frings’ club-mate Tim Borowski all had extended absences from first-team football for one reason or another and the Bremen man feels this could work to the squad’s benefit. “It could prove an advantage for our team. A number of our important players will be going into the tournament feeling fresh and not having already played 50 games in the season,” he said.

Compelling reasons
Despite being “fully fit at just the right time”, Frings believes there are other, more compelling reasons why Germany can claim their first major title since 1996. “Our strength has always been at the back but again this year we have a lot of players in the team who can get goals at the other end of the pitch,” he added. Right at the back is Jens Lehmann and while he is confirmed as his country’s No1, the issue of back-up goalkeeper has been cleared with Robert Enke announced as the 38-year-old’s official deputy and René Adler third in line.

source: uefa.com

Allofs: “The summer break allows a lot of time for fantasy”

Europe is in football fever. All the fans have their minds set on Austria and Switzerland where the 2008 European Championships get underway on Saturday. At the Werder administration centre, preparations for next season are already well under way. General manager Klaus Allofs took some time out to speak to werder.de about the current stand of things with the Green-Whites.

werder.de: Two days before the start of the European Championships and all of Germany is in football fever, but at Werder Bremen, all the activities are already focused on the new Bundesliga season. How much preparation stress is there for you?

Klaus Allofs: “The work is in full flow. Our summer schedule is almost complete now. The training camps have been planned in detail. By July the team should be well able to prepare optimally for the new season. We will maybe organise another friendly game or two.”

And who will be involved in that? How are things going on the transfer market?

Klaus Allofs: “There is still an amount to be done there. Kevin Schindler and Kevin Artmann could still be released on loan deals. We’ve already taken that step with John Mosquera. We still have quite a few improvements to our squad on the agenda.”

There are proposals for new players being made in the press on an almost daily basis. Are you amused by some of the speculation?

Klaus Allofs: “Year in, year out – it’s always the same. The summer break allows a lot of time for fantasy.”

Can you inform us of some of the details of your plans?

Klaus Allofs: “Until deals are completed we like to play our cards close to our chest. It’s proving consistently more difficult to find players who can strengthen a team playing at our level who are affordable. With that in mind, we are very sensitive about such information.”

How realistic is the danger that some of Werder’s young strikers could suddenly find themselves on the wish-lists of top European clubs after Euro 2008?

Klaus Allofs: “That’s the wrong way to think. I hope that every one of our players is noticed and does fantastically at the tournament. That will not harm Werder. They all have contracts with us and we have no intention of letting any of them go.”

werder.de: Mr. Allofs, preparations for the new season are of course at the forefront, but Euro 2008 has started. Will the tournament take an important place in your work schedule over the coming weeks?

Klaus Allofs: “Of course the EURO influences our daily work here too. We have eight players who are in the battle to take the title there. We need to look at things carefully and watch exactly how things are developing there. We hope they all play well and all remain uninjured.”

Which Werder player do you think will remain in the tournament for the longest time?

Klaus Allofs: “I think that our German players, but also Hugo Almeida with Portugal, could go a long way.”

Do you think Hugo is far enough along that he can claim and hold down a regular place in the Portuguese starting eleven?

Klaus Allofs: “That wasn’t really clear to see from the recent friendlies. I think he has every chance really to play an important role because he is a very unique striker within their squad. No-one else possesses his power or aerial strength. It those are important factors to the team and he gets a feeling of success early on in the tournament, he could develop positively very quickly.”

Will we see you in the stands at the European Championships?

Klaus Allofs: “I will certainly watch a game or two but for me it’s more about enhancement and making contacts than it is about scouting players. Those who impress at these tournaments are often the ones who are unaffordable anyway.”

source: werder.de

Eilts sees Germany as a hot favourite

Current German U21 national team trainer Dieter Eilts was part of the Werder Bremen set up for over 19 years and some 390 Bundesliga games. Not only that, but the likeable lad from East Frisia made himself a regular in the national team with consistently solid performances. At the 1996 European Championships in England, Eilts played a major role in helping Germany towards their last major title win.

In a current WERDER-Podcast, Eilts reminisced on the title win and discussed the secret to that success: “The cohesion within the team was unique.”

What not even Dieter Eilts knew. Since the cup final against the Czech Republic in 1996, no German team has managed to win as much as a single game at following European Championship competitions. The up-coming tournament should see all of that change.

Germany are looking to win the title and U21 trainer Eilts has every fate in Joachim Löw’s side: “They are definitely one of the favourites and they have the quality to win the title,” but he went on to say “You need a spot of luck along the way too.”

source: werder.de