Pictures from the Bayern game

With a little delay the pictures from the sweet match at Allianz Arena are available in the Matches page. You can also access the pictures from HERE

A section of the Weser Stadium roof is removed

At the home tie with FC Energie Cottbus this coming Saturday, 13.09.2008, the Werder fans will get a first real glimpse at the beginning of reconstruction on the Weser Stadium. Since the start of this week, three massive cranes have been in operation, removing the roof over the south stand and demolishing the supporting pillars. By Saturday, the work on the stand will have developed so far that the seats in the lower section of the south stand will no longer be covered, but there will be no obstruction for the fans during the period of construction.

The work on the south and north stands will continue in the coming weeks. On the section of the stand which will remain, an extended construction will be erected which will give cover to more of the places in the stadium. Weser Stadium GmbH is responsible for the construction work with the planning and completion being done by ‘Procoon Ingenieurgesellschaft Bremen’.

source: werder.de

Schaaf salutes Anorthosis achievement

Coach Thomas Schaaf says Werder Bremen’s Matchday 1 opponents Anorthosis Famagusta FC have “put in an unbelievable effort” to qualify for Group B – even if FC Internazionale Milano and Panathinaikos FC are the German club’s main rivals.

Respect due
Having overcome FC Pyunik, SK Rapid Wien and Olympiacos CFP to reach the group stage, the Cypriot champions have earned their right to sit at Europe’s top table. So the Bremen boss is not about to take Temuri Ketsbaia’s side lightly. He said: “All these small teams qualified for this stage by beating higher-profile sides, so they must be strong. They know how exciting the Champions League is and put in an unbelievable effort. These teams concentrated and focused so hard in the qualifiers that they got through.”

Lessons learned
Bremen host Anorthosis on Tuesday with three points the target. “A good start is always a positive,” Schaaf said. “If you can dominate and beat your opponents, it’s good for the team and for morale. It’s good to know you can win games – that’s very important.” The 47-year-old hopes his side can “play an important role” in this season’s competition, explaining: “We have been gaining experience over the last few years and we have also played Panathinaikos and Inter before, so we know what to expect from the stadiums and from the opposition. It’s going to be very exciting.”

False start
Schaaf’s men have made a shaky start in the Bundesliga, taking two points from their first three matches – “we just haven’t been at the top of our game”. They will need to peak soon if they are to attain Schaaf’s knockout-stage goal. “We always set high standards,” he said. “When we reach them we can see what else is possible. If we play well, I believe we can reach the knockout stage and then have the ability to go even further. But first we have to survive the group stage and this will be difficult enough.”

Group complexion
“Inter are the clear group favourites,” he went on. “They are the team with the big name and the famous coach [José Mourinho]. Without a doubt, Inter have the potential to go far in this competition. Then there are teams, with Panathinaikos and ourselves, who most people would think will scrap for second place, and Famagusta who are the unknown newcomers, but no less dangerous.” Finally, a note of caution about Bremen’s ability to cope with Europe’s élite: “We know we have to face the top clubs, in a financial sense as well as a sporting one, and that won’t always be an even contest.”

source: uefa.com

Bischoff: Werder Made Me Play Through Injury

The France-born Portuguese U-21 international was one of Arsene Wenger’s more curious signings of the summer, with the French manager himself admitting that his acquisition was a bit of a gamble due to his track record of injury problems.

Now that he is close to fully shaking off the injury that he came in with, the 21-year-old has pointed the finger of blame straight at Werder manager Thomas Schaaf for the fact that the needed so much time to rehab in the first place.

He told Arsenal TV: “The injury crept up on me really, I started feeling some pain after training. My manager said to me ‘I think it’s OK for you to keep playing’, so I kept playing. But it was not getting any better, and I was in a lot of pain. This went on for 1-2 months, in the end I said ‘I have to have a break, I’m playing in too much pain’.”

Bischoff also shed some light on how it came about that he is now representing Portugal at youth level despite being born in France.

“I was called up to the French Under 18’s, but when I moved to Werder the French manager called me and said ‘If you go abroad I will not select you for the team’ He only wanted players playing in France. So I made my decision, and went to Bremen. Then i met a player called Hugo Almeida, he heard I had a dual nationality, and he spoke to the Portuguese FA and told them.”

“They came to watch me 3 or 4 times in games as well as training, and they called me and asked if I wanted to play for Portugal, and I went to play for them!.”

Once fully fit, Bischoff is expected to debut for the Arsenal reserves, where he will be looking to prove that he is already ready to make the jump to the first team.

source: goal.com

Too little, too late – Werder crash in Mönchengladbach

On the third match day of the Bundesliga season, Werder Bremen went down 2-3 (0-2) to VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. 54,067 spectators at Borussia-Park saw Karim Matmour (12’), Rob Friend (30’) and Alexander Baumjohann (71’) put the home side three goals up before Claudio Pizarro (79’) and Diego (89’) snatched what were to be little more than consolation goals for the Green-Whites.

Compared to the starting eleven which drew 1-1 with FC Schalke 04 last weekend, Werder coach Thomas Schaaf made two changes to his side. German international Clemens Fritz got the nod ahead of Petri Pasanen and Olympic Games participant Diego returned to replace Mesut Özil from the outset.

After a cautious begin from both sides, the home team made their breakthrough in the 12th minute. German international Marko Marin lobbed a ball over the heads of the Werder defence and found Matmour who had time to allow the ball to drop perfectly and hammer past Tim Wiese to give his side the lead.

Having gone in front, the hosts grew visibly in confidence but the better chances to score fell to the Green-Whites. Firstly Claudio Pizarro missed out with a shot after a Naldo free kick (24’) and just minutes later the Peruvian striker was denied by VfL keeper Christofer Heimeroth (27’). Right on the half-hour mark Borussia then doubled their lead as Rob Friend stole in to head home a wonderful delivery from Marcel Ndjeng.

After the break, Werder threw everything into attack in their search for a way back into the game but it was again the home side that did the scoring. Gladbach’s young star Baumjohann took on the ball in his own half of the pitch and drove forward powerfully before shooting into the far left corner past Tim Wiese to make it 0-3 from Werder’s view point.

Despite the three goal deficit, Thomas Schaaf’s men refused to throw in the towel and reduced the deficit in the 79th minute when Claudio Pizarro pounced on a loose ball to offer Werder a lifeline. Then in the 89th minute, Diego expertly curled a free-kick into the top corner of the net to make it 2-3 and create a tense finish. In the end, Gladbach held on to their lead to inflict Werder with their first defeat of the season.

The game at a glance:

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Heimeroth – Daems, Brouwers, Callsen-Bracker – Albermann (75′ Levels), Ndjeng (86′ Kleine), Paauwe, Baumjohann – Marin (77′ Coulibaly), Matmour – Friend.

Werder Bremen: Wiese – Fritz, Prödl (70′ Harnik), Naldo, Boenisch – Baumann (46′ Özil), Frings, Jensen, Diego – Pizarro, Rosenberg (46′ Almeida).

Goals: 1-0 Matmour (12′), 2-0 Friend (30′), 3-0 Baumjohann (71′), 3-1 Pizarro (79′), 3-2 Diego (89′)

Yellow cards: Daems, Matmour – Naldo, Jensen, Diego, Pizarro

Referee: Manuel Gräfe (Berlin)

Attendance: 54,067 (Borussia-Park)

source: werder.de

Click here or enter trough the Matches page to see pictures from the game

„A massive challenge“

After it was finally clear where the Green-Whites journey would take them this season in Europe’s biggest club competition, the reactions of those in charge at Werder Bremen were pretty similar. The players, staff and club’s executives are all looking forward to what may not be an exclusively spectacular group of opponents but a nonetheless demanding one.

General manager Klaus Allofs:

“I’m satisfied with the draw, although we didn’t exactly land in the most spectacular group. We have a mighty challenge on our hands against Italian champions Inter Milan, who have a very attractive side. We got to see first-hand in the last few years just how difficult it can be to play against Greek sides, but we cleared the hurdle of Panathinaikos on the last occasion and that’s a good omen. You could probably consider Famagusta to be the surprise package of the complete qualifying phase. I’m interested to see them.”

Head coach Thomas Schaaf:

“On the whole we are in a group which leaves every opportunity open for us to qualify for the latter stages of the competition. But we will have to be wary! We know both Inter and Panathinaikos and are aware just how difficult a challenge they posed for us in the past.”

Per Mertesacker:

“We haven’t landed in a cracker of a group but certainly every aspect of it is interesting. José Mourinho will have fond memories of me from our win against Chelsea at the Weser Stadium. We didn’t exactly have things our own way against Panathinaikos in the past but we have a chance to make up for that now. Famagusta will be a completely new experience but we can’t afford to underestimate them.”

source: werder.de

Schaaf: It’s Tough, But Can Get Through

The Werder trainer believes it a group that gives the Green and Whites a good chance of progressing to the knock-out stage for the first time.

“Overall we have been drawn in a group which gives us the possibility of reaching the quarter final.  But we will have to watch out” he said.

“In Inter and Panathinaikos we have two teams that we know, and they will be difficult opponents” he added.

Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho must start as group favourites and Schaaf is fully aware of their quality.

“You only have to look at Inter’s squad to know what an attractive opponent we have drawn.  They can call upon Ibrahimovic and Adriano in attack.  They have a lot of quality.

“They are Italian champions and we know what kind of job their trainer Jose Mourinho can do” he explained

Their Greek opponents Panathinaikos will also be a tough one Schaaf believes.

“The trainer of Panathinaikos is also a familiar face.  We come up against Henk ten Cate for the third time in international competition- he was co-trainer in Barcelona, trainer of Ajax and now Panathinaikos.

“With their victories over Tiflis and Sparta Prague in the qualifiers, they have shown what they are capable of.  They only came third in their domestic league, but they have strengthened their squad in the summer.”

source: goal.com

Champions League: Milan, Athens and Famagusta

Werder Bremen have been drawn in this season’s UEFA Champions League Group B alongside Inter Milan, Panathinaikos Athens and Anorthosis Famagusta in the battle to win a place in second round of the competition. The Green-Whites, who represent German football in the competition along with FC Bayern Munich, will have the task of progressing against the Italian champions, last season’s third placed team in the Greek league and the title holders from Cyprus.

FC Bayern Munich were drawn in Group F with Olympique Lyon, AC Florenz and Steaua Bucharest.

The initial schedule for the match days is:

1st match day: 16./17.09.2008
2nd match day: 30.09./01.10.2008
3rd match day: 21./22.10.2008
4th match day: 04./05.11.2008
5th match day: 25./26.11.2008
6th match day: 09./10.12.2008

source: werder.de

Werder vs Schalke video preview

While waiting for the second match day in which Werder will take on Schalke in the Weserstadion you can enjoy the 5 goals scored by Werder in the last encounter:

1-0 Baumann

2-0 Sanogo

3-1 Rosenberg

4-1 Klasnic

5-1 Klasnic

Marco Bode interview

Marco Bode, were you surprised by the Pizarro loan deal?

Marco Bode: No, I had already heard a few rumours. I think it’s a good solution for Werder. The season will show whether it’s a top solution. Werder have definitely improved up front for the season. And if Pizarro plays well I could imagine that he stays longer, even if Werder don’t have an option to buy.

W hat can Werder hope for?

Bode: Above all, I hope for a lot of goals, of course. Werder have signed an international top striker. He didn’t have many opportunities to show that at Chelsea, but he has great ability and I think that Werder hope for 15 or 20 goals in return.

What are Pizarro’s strengths?

Bode: He is a complete striker, quick, strong, good in the air and with both feet. It all fits very well. He has no special qualities, but overall he is a striker above average.

How did he develop in recent years?

Bode: I think that he’s close to the level he had when we were playing together. He went on to play for top clubs such as Bayern and Chelsea, but he didn’t play regularly. That doesn’t mean that he stagnated, though. He already was at a top level when he left Werder. But I think that he had his best time with Werder, as far as sport is concerned.

That might have played a part in joining Werder…

Bode: Definitely. He knows coach Thomas Schaaf and that he prefers attacking football. Pizarro fits into Werder’s concept very well.

Where will Pizarro stand among the Werder strikers?

Bode: I assume that he will be seeded in the first place. There surely will be no guarantee, but he didn’t come from Chelsea to sit on the bench. The pressure on Rosenberg, Sanogo and Almeida will surely grow.

What is Werder’s outlook this season?

Bode: Werder are among the three or four clubs that could win the title. I think it’s a closer affair at the top and Werder can use a player of Pizarro’s quality, and not only up front. Claudio is a striker who also works in defence, and that’s always important for a team.

source: bundesliga.de

Arminia Bielefeld – Werder highlights

2 minutes video containing the 4 goals scored today:

Also check out the Matches page for pictures and match report from the game!

Schaaf Rues Dropped Points

The first half was goalless but then Markus Rosenberg opened the scoring on the hour mark. With fifteen minutes left however the home side grabbed the equaliser through Artur Wichniarek.

Swede Rosenberg put Werder back in front on 80 minutes only for Wichniarek to grab a second equaliser a minute later.

“Of course we are annoyed” Schaaf fumed. “It’s a particular shame that we led twice and still didn’t win.

“We were caught sleeping and in those instances you get punished” he added.

Bielefeld trainer Michael Frontzeck was pleased with the way his side fought back against one of this season’s title favourites.

“I saw a very good display from my side” he mused.

“We didn’t allow one of the strongest sides in the league very much and at the end of the day we didn’t deserve to lose the game.”

source: goal.com

Check out the Matches page for pictures from the game!

Esbjerg fB presentation

Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber (EfB) is a Danish football club from the port city of Esbjerg. They play in the Danish Superliga. The club was formed in 1924, as a merger between Esbjerg Boldklub af 1898 and Esbjerg Amatørklub af 1911.

The main sponsor is Frøs Herreds Sparrekasse, and away colour sponsor is Telesikring a/s. The kit sponsor is Umbro.

The club is known to apply a very attacking style of play, and are generally unwilling to compromize their style of play with their ambitions in the league. This can be seen in their league results, as the club usually is the most scoring team in the league, and as a result of this, also one of the teams that conceed the most goals.

The very attractive and attacking style of play ensures that Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber (EfB) is the most entertaining team in the Danish Superliga.

The club managed to win the title 5 times but last time it happened back in 1979. After some seasons in the second division, Esbjerg gained promotion to the first league after the 2000-2001 season and managed in the last 7 years to obtain final positions between 3rd(2003-2004 season) and 7th place, from 12 participating teams.

In the current season Esbjerg only managed to win two points from their first four games and with thus they lay in 10th position.

The biggest sporting success of the last 10 years came in the Danish Cup, where they managed to reach the final on two occasions: 2006 and 2008. They lost both finals against Randers FC and Brøndby IF. Highlights of the 2008 final, lost with by two goals to three against Brøndby can be seen below in the 2 videos:

WERDER.TV: Esbjerg clash on Tuesday live from 7pm

The anticipation is mounting: Werder Bremen’s start in the new Bundesliga season is closing in fast. Five days prior to their trip to Arminia Bielefeld, the Green-Whites will once again test their form on Tuesday, 12.08.2008, at 7pm, when they take on Danish first division side Esbjerg fB. WERDER.TV will have all 90 minutes of the game live and exclusively for the German fans. Commentary on the game will be run by the clubs media director Tino Polster and WERDER.TV editor Markus Beireichel. In Denmark the game will be broadcast live by TV/Midt-Vest.

For all Werder fans, and other interested parties who currently do not possess a WERDER.TV subscription, it will be possible to watch the game in the Blue Water Arena for a one off price of €2,99, without having to sign an extra subscription. Those not yet registered must simply do so, free of charge, at WERDER.TV to then follow the game live and with full commentary from Online-Stream.

source: werder.de

Beijing 2008: Diego’s Brazilians make the quarter finals

On Sunday, 10.08.2008, the Brazilian national team had little trouble beating New Zealand 5:0 to book their place in the quarter finals of the Olympic football tournament. AC Milan superstar Ronaldinho shone with a brace (55’ / 61’) whilst the rest of Brazil’s goals were scored by Anderson (3’), Alexandre Pato (34’) and Rafael Sobis (93’). Werder Bremen’s Diego was in the starting eleven in front of a 45,000 strong crowd in Sheyang and was substituted in the 72nd minute. Schalke 04’s Rafinha and Bayern Munich’s Breno also started for the ‘Selecao’.

It was a less positive day for Serbia with Werder’s Dusko Tosic, making his first appearance at the Olympic Games, who now have an uphill struggle if they are to make the last eight. Tosic & Co. lost 4:2 to the Ivory Coast in Shanghai. Milja Mrdakovic equalised for Serbia after Sekou Cisse had put the Africans in front after 16 minutes but a Serbian own goal and a strike from Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou made it 3:1. Djordje Rakic hit back in the 90th minute but in injury time Gervinho made it 4:2 for the ‘Elephants’.

For the brazilian fans just below is an interview of Diego after the game(sorry for the other but no translation):

source: werder.de