Werder Bremen took third place in the Efes-Cup tournament in Antalya, Turkey. The Green-Whites beat Borussia Dortmund 1:0 (0:0) in the so-called " Little Final". Daniel Jensen decided the tie in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot. The tie was poor but Werder deserved the win on the strenght of an improved second half performance.
The most inspiring vision in a much changed Werder side was the sight of Tim Weise in goal who placed for the first time in five months after his second cruciate ligament tear. Weises lack of match practice was clear to see as he sailed past a Tomas Rosicky cross in the 11th minute but Ivan Klasnic was on hand to clear the ball from Christoph Metzelder. Dortmund had the better of the early phases and looked more agile and alert. Tim Weise needed to show his true ability as he first saved from Gambino after a through ball by Nuri Sahin and five minutes later got his leg out to deny Akgün after an Odonkor pass.
First sign of life: Valdez hits post
It took almost a half hour for Werder to threaten but then to almost devastating effect. Firstly Christian Schulz tested Dortmund keeper Gentenaar from distance before Nelson Valdez hammered the rebound against the post. Werder were now begining to find their way into the game but lacked the neccessary combination effectivity between midfield and strike force. The game remained goalless until the break.
The Black and Yellows had the first chance of the second half. Sahin set Kringe on his way into the Werder box but Weise was quick off his line to narrow the angle and save Kringes tight angled effort. Three minutes later, 500 fans at the Atatürk Stadium saw Werders second real opening. Ivan Klasnic got a header in after substitute Frank Baumann nodded on a Jensen header but Saka was on his line to clear the danger. Then it was Naldo's turn to clear from the line at the other end as Sahin let fly after a pass from Akgün (59').
Penalty after Degen hand ball
A powerful drive by Nelson Valdez was to lead, inadvertantly, to the Werder lead. Valdez forced the keeper to turn his drive away for a corner. The resulting set piece was swung in by Schulz and Dortmund defender Degen had to use his hand to stop Valdez reaching the ball. Referee Cem Deda saw the hand ball and issued Degen with a yellow card as he pointed to the spot. Daniel Jensen stepped up and buried the spot kick - 1:0 to Werder.
Werder continued as the better team after taking the lead. Klasnic hit the post (67') and Valdez missed two chances (79', 89')to extend the lead for the Green-White who by now deserved the win. Dortmund weaked distinctly and other than a hopeful Kringe effort had no more chances to regress the issue so that Werders win could be considered acceptable.
Johnnie Muldoon
Borussia Dortmund - Werder Bremen 0:1 (0:0)
Werder Bremen: Wiese – Andreasen, Pasanen, Naldo (60. Fahrenhorst), Schulz – Frings (46. Baumann), D. Jensen, Lagerblom, Micoud (46. Vranjes) - Valdez, Klasnic (71. Klose)
Borussia Dortmund: Gentenaar – Degen (71. Dede), Wörns, Metzelder (57. Brzenska), Kringe – Kehl, Rosicky, Sahin – Odonkor, Akgün, Gambino (46. Saka)
Goal: 0:1 (63.) Jensen, penalty.
Referee: Cem Deda (Turkey)
Attendance: Atatürk-Stadion Antalya, 500