As the Werder troops were checking in Tuesday morning there was a rush bigger than recent memory. Camera teams, journalists and fans crowded around to get one more picture...
As the Werder troops were checking in Tuesday morning there was a rush bigger than recent memory. Camera teams, journalists and fans crowded around to get one more picture...
As the Werder troops were checking in Tuesday morning there was a rush bigger than recent memory. Camera teams, journalists and fans crowded around to get one more picture or sneak a couple more words from the Werder players and coaches.
"It's too early for me for that," joked Claudio Pizarro when asked for an interview shortly after 8 a.m. in the terminal, seconds before telling the public: "The mood in the team is very good. We are ready for the final and everyone is highly motivated." Manager Klaus Allofs seemed concentrated but not yet nervous. "We've used the last couple days to get prepared for this. Not only from a sports standpoint, also organisationally, this was anything but everyday business. But the tingling won't really set in until tomorrow on the day of the game," said Allofs. Tim Wiese said the team cannot go into the game tense but need to be well prepared but with the necessary looseness, adding: "We watched some video analysis and know that Shakhtar Donetsks is a strong team. But we too are a very good team. Our chances are 50-50. After an excellent cup season, we earned this final. And we will give our all tomorrow."
Just one more night's sleep and then it's time for Werder to play in the first UEFA Cup final in club history! Fans and players are anxiously awaiting the unique experience. "There is always a good atmosphere in Turkish stadiums. And there will be quite a few Bremen fans as well," said Clemens Fritz about the atmosphere at the final in Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
