Matthäus begins reign at Maccabi

At his new club Maccabi Netanya they worship the ground he walks on. Superstar and honorary national team captain Lothar Matthäus has begun his reign with the Israeli league side and is enjoying an almost God-like status – and that without having done as much as won a competitive game, let alone a title. At the beginning of pre-season training on July 4th, 2008, Matthäus and his players were carried shoulder high from the pitch by 250 fanatical supporters all loudly singing “Lothar, Lothar”. The former German international had to admit: “I’ve never experienced a greeting like it. Israel is a fantastic country. The people are very open and positive.”

At the present time, the team have left the trouble stricken country to continue their preparations. There is a lot of work to be done and the second round of the UEFA Cup qualifiers lies ahead. First up though is a friendly against Werder Bremen on Saturday, 26.07.2008 at 6:30pm. The ‘Yellow-Blacks’ took up residence in Schruns some ten days ago: “The club’s owner invested quite a sum of money to make this training camp possible,” explained Matthäus. 28 players, ten of whom from their own youth academy, made the trip to Austria and the new coach, who spent time looking over Thomas Schaaf’s shoulder, has been able to get an initial picture of where his side stand: “We have the quality but not the money. Still, it’s a lot of fun. The players are looking to take their chances and are working hard.”

So far during their stay in Schruns, the Israeli side have had a 0-0 with SC Freiburg and a 3-2 win over Winterthur but also suffered a defeat on Friday, 25.07.2008 to FC St. Pauli (1-3)

source: werder.de

Gondola trip in Green-White

On this occasion Thomas Schaaf didn’t make his statements on the training pitch, but rather 1,2 kilometres above the ground. The Werder trainer was invited to take a mountain trip for his interview on Friday in Schruns, with a camera team. And WERDER.TV was also on hand to capture the proceedings.

690 Meters:
It couldn’t be just coincidence that the hosts from ‘Löwen-Hotel’ picked gondola number ‘1’ to drape in Green-Whites flags and scarves. “And off we go,” declared Thomas Schaaf as the cart swung into motion.

800 Meters:
The trainer had just a wry smile as the gondola took off from behind the team hotel and slowly made its way up the 2,520 meter high ‘Hochjoch’. The coach had also brought along the bulk of his trainer-crew. Matthias Hönerbach, Michael Kraft and trainer-student Ronny Teuber were all along for the ride. Wolfgang Rolff couldn’t make it.

867 Meters:
Jürgen L. Born was there too. The clubs chairman joined Thomas Schaaf at the back of the gondola and peered out at the view: “Always look up – never down,” is normally the order of the day to avoid acrophobia, but neither paid any heed to that on this occasion.

1050 Meters:
A clearance was made through the forest to make room for the lift. Along here there are apparently bicycle routes for those brave enough to face the trek on a bike.

1335 Meters:
The restaurant ‚Kropfen‘ marks the half-way point. Here the passengers in the opposing wagon were astounded to get a glimpse of the celebrities alongside them.

1420 Meters:
Here the gondola driver drew down a ladder to allow our fearless cameraman climb out onto the roof and get some very unique pictures. Thomas Schaaf looks as if he’d very much like to follow the cameraman.

1855 Meter:
Mountain stop ‚Kapell‘. The complete crew made it to the top safely and soundly. A slight amount of panic broke out at the mountain top restaurant as they spotted the Green-White troops. First of all there was an opportunity for the other tourists to grab a couple of autographs before the Werder officials could take a seat and enjoy some cake and a coffee.

900 Meter:
Unfortunately there wasn’t much time to really enjoy the view before the crew made their way to the gondola for the trip back down the mountain.

690 Meter:
And back in the valley, it was time for normal service to resume. A quick change of clothes and it was time to get on the bikes and head down to the training pitch – the third session of the day for Thomas Schaaf and his trainer team.

source: werder.de

Frings Demands New Striker At Werder

On return from his extended holiday following the European Championships, Frings has called upon the Bundesliga club to purchase a fourth striker.

“We need another striker” he said in an interview with Kicker.  “Its not that the ones we have aren’t good enough, but that three is not enough if we are going to playing around 60 games this season.”

With Werder having the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League to compete in this season, Frings believes that Hugo Almeida, Markus Rosenberg, and Boubacar Sanogo need support in the striking department.

Frings however doesn’t believe that youngster Martin Harnik, who performed for Austria at Euro 2008, is the man to fill the role.  “He is a young player, who shouldn’t have too much pressure put upon him.”

The 31 year old on the other hand doesn’t want to criticise club manager Klaus Allofs for not bringing in a top striker already.  “The strikers that will improve us cost a lot of money” he admitted.

He allured to the purchase last summer of Carlos Alberto, who arrived for a club record fee and then proceeded to become one of the biggest flops in club history.  “You saw how money could be quickly spent and how you got nothing back.”

The German international also believes Bayern are the favourites for the Bundesliga title.  “If everything runs smoothly, then they have to be champions” Frings confessed.

source: goal.com