Werder Bremen were eliminated from the 2006/2007 DFB Cup in the first round by third division FK Pirmasens. Trainer Thomas Schaaf’s side were beaten 5:3 after a penalty shoot out.
Werder Bremen were eliminated from the 2006/2007 DFB Cup in the first round by third division FK Pirmasens. Trainer Thomas Schaaf’s side were beaten 5:3 after a penalty shoot out.
Werder Bremen were eliminated from the 2006/2007 DFB Cup in the first round by third division FK Pirmasens. Trainer Thomas Schaaf’s side were beaten 5:3 after a penalty shoot out. 10,000 spectators at the “Sportpark Husterhöhe”, which was inaugurated two years ago to the day, saw a game over 120 minutes which ended 1:1, as it was after the initial 90 minutes. Tobias Zellner put the home team in front (64’) but had his goal cancelled out by a late Ivan Klasnic equaliser (83’).
Werder put the pressure on
There were four changes made to the Werder starting eleven compared to the last Bundesliga game AufSchalke. The Green-Whites had their first chance after just six minutes. Christian Schulz tested the FK keeper, Reiner Schwartz, with a 25 meter drive but the keeper could deal with the danger. The visitors put the pressure on but were unable to create any serious openings until the 17th minute. Diego took on the ball and played a long pass to Miroslav Klose who controlled the ball with his head but again Schwartz was able to gather. The regional league side appeared harmless and allowed Werder more and more of the ball from which they could create openings. The next attack came in the 29th minute when Mohamed Zidan played Diego through in the box with a lob. The Brazilian received a shove from Tobias Zellner before he could control the ball and went tumbling. All eyes were on referee Schalk, but he was unimpressed and allowed play to continue.
A minute later Diego came close with a header and three minutes after that Christian Schulz again tried his luck from distance but was denied by Schwartz for the second time. Opportunities were presenting themselves minute for minute. Klose took on a volley from the right side of the box in the 34th minute but could only find the outside netting. Two minutes later Schulz was in shooting mood again, rising to meet a Zidan cross but the Pirmasens keeper was able to gather at the second attempt. The referee blew for half time after further chances for the visitors to take the lead were passed up by Zidan (37’) and Diego (38’) with the score poised at 0:0 although Andreas Reinke in the Werder goal remained completely uninvolved during the first 45 minutes.
Pirmasens step up the pace
Werder made no changes during the break but the hosts introduced Niko Weißmann for Michael Hunsicker. The home team began to look more confident and settled launching their first attack on the Werder goal which Klose was able to clear. FK had their first serious chance in the 63rd. Frank Baumann turned a Sebastian Reich towards his own goal but luckily for the Bremen captain Pierre Wome was on the goalline to clear the danger. The third division club kept up the pressure and a minute later were able to take the lead. Tobias Zellner hit a free-kick from 35 meters which sailed over the heads of friend and foe before landing in the back of the net. The Werder coach had to make changes and in the 68th minute brought Aaron Hunt in place of Daniel Jensen in the 68th minute. In the 71st Ivan Klasnic was introduced for Zidan and Hugo Almeida for Christian Schulz (77’) to add power to the front line. The new legs gave Werder the necessary push and finally in the 83rd minute the Bundesliga runners-up got their equaliser. Substitute Klasnic beat the FK keeper wth a strong drive, leaving the keeper no chance. In the closing phase the Green-Whites attempted to force the issue with Diego (87’) and Almeida (88’, 89’ and 90’) both failing to give Werder the lead.
No goals in added time
The game went into extra time and the first half of the extended period turned into a carbon copy of the first 45 minutes. Bremen dominated the play but failed to really look like scoring. Miro Klose had the best chance to make it 2:1 in the 101st minute but the combination with Klasnic and Ameida remained fruitless. A minute later Klose had another go but this time Schwartz was able to turn the ball over the crossbar. The second period of added time got off to a very bad start for Werder with captain Frank Baumann seeing red shortly after the re-start. Baumann pushed his arm into an opponents face and the referee gave him his marching orders.
Decision from the penalty spot
The winner of the tie would have to be decided from the penalty spot. Pirmasens Hildebrandt stepped up for the first spot kick and put the ball away comfortably with his left foot into the bottom right corner. First up for Werder – Ivan Klasnic. The Croatian took his run up and shot but had his effort stopped by Schwartz. Andreas Reinke put his side back in the running from the next penalty from Schaufler and Petri Pasanen shot the sides back on level terms. Reich then left Reinke no chance to give FK the lead again. Again Schwartz was on hand to frustrate Bremen, saving the next spot kick from Almeida. The scorer of the first goal Zellner stepped up and made it 3:1, meaning Pierre Wome would have to score to keep Werder in the cup. The Cameroon international held his nerve and drove home to make it 3:2 but now the decisive penalty was out of Werders hands. Substitute Miguel Carvalho stepped up and made it all clear for FK Pirmasens. The third division side had caused the ultimate up-set and put the Bundesliga giants out of the cup.
Johnnie Muldoon
