Just two days after their 0:0 draw against FC Schalke 04, Werder are to play a friendly on Tuesday, 25.04.2006 at 6:30pm against SV Meppen.
Just two days after their 0:0 draw against FC Schalke 04, Werder are to play a friendly on Tuesday, 25.04.2006 at 6:30pm against SV Meppen.
Just two days after their 0:0 draw against FC Schalke 04, Werder are to play a friendly on Tuesday, 25.04.2006 at 6:30pm against SV Meppen. The Green-Whites are taking the opportunity to keep up their game rhythm with a Bundesliga weekend off thanks to the DFB Cup final. As back on the 12.07.2006, Werder are taking the opportunity to support the Meppen side who find themselves in financial difficulties. Back then the game finished 7:0 for the Bundesliga side with hat-tricks for Mohamed Zidan and Nelson Valdez added to by a goal from Aaron Hunt. "It's great that Werder Bremen have agreed to play the game and give us their support. With a great club of tradition such as SV Meppen things must continue", enthused the Meppen manager Kristian Zedi about the Werder visit. All takings will of course go to aid the survival of the fourth division club.
Reinke ready to return
On a sporting level the game will present the particularly interesting aspect of the comeback of goalkeeper Andreas Reinke. The 37 year old suffered a serious head injury during Werder's away clash with VfB Stuttgart back on 08.02.2006 and is now ready to return after a three month break. "I'm fit and I can play", gleamed the keeper who's buzzing to get back between the posts.
Frank Fahrenhorst is expecting a good test. "Meppen are surely motivated, the game is the highlight of their season", in the opinion of the central defender. Trainer Thomas Schaaf see's the game as a "good training session with a competitive edge. It's the chance for a number of our players who don't get inn the side so often to get some match practice and to prove themselves".
Meppen are currently in 13th place in the Oberliga-Nord (4th division-North Division) but with a nine point jump on those in the drop zone, seem out of the woods. Just as the Green-Whites, the Lower Saxon side drew their last league game against SV Wilhemshaven 0:0.
International involvement
Not in the squad for the game at the Emslandstadion are Frank Baumann (torn knee ligaments), Torsten Frings (shin fracture), Aaron Hunt (knee tendon injury) and Jurica Vranjes who tore ligaments in a challenge with Schalke's Kuranyi on Sunday and is expected to be out of action for between two and five weeks. Also out of the tie is German international Christian Schulz. The defender will line out for the German Under 21 side on Tuesday as they take part in a FIFA club tournament in Aschheim. Werders 'A'-internationals, on the other hand, will make the trip from Dusseldorf where they partake in a fitness test for the national team on Monday and Tuesday.
Prior to the game, Meppen have so far sold 6,500 tickets for the match including all seating places in the 16,500 capacity stadium. Standing tickets can still be obtained from the SV Meppen Admin Offices on Lathenstr. 15a which opens at 1pm on match day. Tickets cost €2,50 for children under 14, €5 for school children and students and €6 for adults.
Johnnie Muldoon
