+++ 26 outfielders and four keepers - there haven't been so many players in training for quite some time. Before taking the train to Würzburg, Viktor Skripnik had the anguish of choice. +++
+++ 26 outfielders and four keepers - there haven't been so many players in training for quite some time. Before taking the train to Würzburg, Viktor Skripnik had the anguish of choice. +++
+++ 26 outfielders and four keepers - there haven't been so many players in training for quite some time. Before taking the train to Würzburg, Viktor Skripnik had the anguish of choice. With the exception of captain Clemens Fritz, who is suspended because of a red card at the end of last season, as well as Cederick Makiadi and new signing Aron Johannsson, the head coach has an embarrassment of riches to pick from. Skripnik's difficult task is to whittle 27 fit players down into a squad of 18.
The following Green-White players are in the squad for the DFB Cup match against Würzburg Kickers on Saturday:
Zetterer, Wiedwald - Gálvez, Lukimya, Vestergaard, Öztunali, Hajrovic, Junuzovic, Kroos, Zander, U. Garcia, Ujah, Bartels, Gebre Selassie, Grillitsch, Eggestein, Sternberg and Bargfrede. +++
+++ Skripnik praises Würzburg: At the pre-match press conference for the cup match against Würzburger Kickers, Werder's head coach Viktor Skripnik only had positive words for the opposition. "We are taking this team completely seriously. They have already played two games in the third division, so Würzburg have been able to find their rhythm and the team are very fit and very athletic. We are facing a solid team." Skripnik is particularly interested in how the Green-Whites will manage with Würzburg's system, because both teams are likely to play with a diamond in midfield. "We rarely play with a diamond against a diamond. In this respect it could be very entertaining for the spectators and the coaches," says Werder's coach. According to Skripnik, nothing needs to be said about Würzburg's coach: "everyone knows about his career". Following his time as a player in the Bundesliga, Bernd Hollerbach was the assistant coach at VfL Wolfsburg and Schalke 04. Würzburg is his first role as head coach. +++
+++ Werder fans impress England: since the friendly win over West Ham United last Sunday, a video has been circulating on the internet of the roughly 250 Werder fans who made the journey. They impressed with their rendition of "Wonderwall" by Oasis and amazed both the stadium and the press. According to The Mirror newspaper, Werder Bremen are now people's "favourite German club". Werder's English twitter account saw increased attention because of the international press coverage, and the number of followers has now passed the 5,000 mark! +++
