First training session: New ball, Hunt fit

Whilst the bulk of the Werder players were still enjoying their summer holidays at the end of June, German U21 international Aaron Hunt was already putting in some extra shifts in preparation for the start of pre-season training on Thursday, 03.07.2008.

“I feel really good and hope that it stays that way,” said the 21 year old. Hunt was plagued throughout last season with knee and groin problems which put the Green-Whites talented youngster out of action for several weeks. That considered, it’s hardly a surprise that the attacker has set himself one particular personal goal for the coming season. “I want to stay healthy.” He will also be hoping to receive plenty of attention for his sporting escapades.

Still not back in Bremen is Werder’s Finnish defender Petri Pasanen, who is currently serving military duty back home in Finland. Pasanen will re-join his team mates on Tuesday, 08.07.2008. The Green-Whites numbers were bolstered during training on Friday by Alparslan Erdem, Marc Heider and Pascal Testroet, from the Werder U23 reserves.

source: werder.de

Friendly at brand new AFG Arena in St. Gallen

On the first day of preparations for the 2008/2009 season, Werder’s ‘Summer Travel Plan’ has been altered to once again and a further stadium has been added to the list. General manager Klaus Allofs confirmed that on Monday, 28.07.2008 at 8pm, the Green-Whites will play a friendly against relegated Swiss first division side FC St. Gallen.

The game will be played at the newly built AFG Arena in St.Gallen, which will see its first action on 05.07.2008 with a massive opening event. The stadium is one of the most modern arenas in Switzerland and, among other things, it houses a shopping centre.

The game will be a real test of the Swiss sides strength, considering the season will begin for St. Gallen around the same time as the friendly match. The match plan for the season has been specially adapted for St. Gallen to allow them the opportunity to play the game against Werder Bremen.

The pre-season plan:

Thur, 14.07.2008, 15:30: Training begin at the trainings facilities of the Weser-Stadion

Fri, 11.07.2008, 19:00: Friendly against TSV Ottersberg

Sat, 12.07.2008: Friendly against VfL Oldenburg kick-off 4pm

14. – 20.07.2008: Training camp on Norderney

20.07.2008: Friendly against Kickers Emden at the Loga sport facility (kick-off 4pm).

22. – 29.07.2008: Training camp on Schruns

24.07.2008: Friendly against Aris Saloniki, Wagenweg sport centre in Schruns

26.07.2008: Friendly against Maccabi Netanya, Wagenweg sport centre in Schruns 6:30pm kick-off.

28.07.2008: Friendly against FC St. Gallen, AFG Arena St. Gallen.

30.07.2008, 19:00: Friendly against FC Hansa Rostock

02.08.2008: Friendly against Trabzonspor, ‘Nordseestadion’ in Bremerhaven.

03.08.2008: “Tag der Fans” (Day of the Fans) at the Weser-Stadion

09./10.08.2008: DFB-Cup first round ties

15. – 17.08.2008: First Bundesliga match-day.

source: werder.de