Werder Bremen suffered their first defeat in their preparation for the 2006/2007 Bundesliga season. The Green-Whites crashed to a 4:0 (0:1) defeat against Greek champions and Champions League participants Olympiakos Piräus with goals from Kafes (19.), Castillo (60.), Rivaldo (62.) und Konstantinou (88.).
Right from the outset the Greek title holders looked more active and resolute than their apparently tired opponents. The team in all white with red socks had their first big opening after just four minutes. Werder keeper Andi Reinke was able to clear a corner out of the box but the ball landed at the feet of Djordjevic who brought a stunning reflex save from Reinke with a vollied drive. Greek striker Okkas missed two good chances (8'/14') before Piräus eventually took the lead in the 19th minute. Kafes sent Okkas on his way with a long pass, the striker profitted from a slip by Naldo and was able to pass to the forward pressing Kafes who could easily slide the ball home to make it 1:0.
This situation occured on numderous occasions before the break with the Geeks putting the pressure on and Werder having little by way of an answer aside from a chance for Almeida who was put through by a Klasnic header (20') and a Naldo free-kick (28'). All in all though there was hardly any real danger for the Piräus goal.
Werder desreved to be behind going into the half-time break against a mobile and tactically very disciplined Greek side. The wide players were always willing to take on their defensíve responsibilities by Werder possession and the defence pushed forward at every opportunity leaving the German side very little room to manouver.
The second half was similar to the first. The Greek's made three changes during the break but their dominance remained. The game was decided by a double whammy. Firstly it was the two substitutes Georgatos and Castillo who combined to leave Fahrenhorst and Naldo at sixes-and-sevens and double the lead to 2:0 (60'). Then it was the turn of old hand Rivaldo who vollied home a corner from 14 meters (62'). Bitter from Bremen at this point was the loss of attacker Aaron Hunt who had to be substituted by Bischoff after he went down under a sliding tackle (61').
With Werder suffering from heavy legs yet still pushing for at least a consolation it was a solo effort from Konstantinou that finished the German side off in the 88th minute. The Greek striker skipped past Wome and Naldo before chipping neatly over the stranded Reinke. Before hand Almeida had missed a good chance for the Green-Whites but on the night there was no method in the Werder armory to prevent a heavy defeat, all beit in friendly circumstances.
Johnnie Muldoon