On June 7th, the European Championships will get underway and in just a week and a half, the cream of European football will begin their preparations for the tournament. The approaching competition is the reason behind the Bundesliga’s recent packed schedule. Following all the joy of the midweek win, it’s now up to Werder to turn a deaf ear to the songs claiming they are ‘Number 1 in the North’. The initial target of third place in the league table is now guaranteed, but on Saturday, 10.05.2008, it will be up to the Green-Whites to solidify their hold on the runner-up position when they take on Hannover 96. At the same time, third placed FC Schalke 04 will be pitting their talents against Eintracht Frankfurt in Gelsenkirchen. Should the ‘Royal-Blues’ fail to win, three points for Werder would secure second place.
The target is an attractive one, but they will first have to overcome an opponent against whom they took a bitter stumble just six months ago. In an entertaining game full of controversy in December, 96 ran out 4:3 winners. It was one of only two wins for ‘The Reds’ in eleven meetings between the two sides since Hannover returned to the top flight in 2002. The record books would appear to indicate that Hannover are welcome guests at the Weser Stadium, where they have only won one of 27 outings in the clubs history.
In spite of all the signs pointing in Werder’s favour, trainer Thomas Schaaf is wary of the side from Lower Saxony: “96 will make life difficult for us. It will be a very interesting match,” and the coach continued: “Hannover are in good form and even have a shot at making European qualifying place.” With three former Werder men in their ranks, Frank Fahrenhorst, Valérian Ismaël and ‘Schulle’, there will be no doubting the motivation of ‘The Reds’.