Werder Win The Efes Pilsen Cup

First Team
Friday, 12.01.2007 / 09:38

Werder Bremen have won the Efes-Pilsen-Cup in Turkey! The Green-Whites beat Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam 2:1 (1:0) in the final. Just as in the semi-final, it was a goal on either side of the half time break...

Werder Bremen have won the Efes-Pilsen-Cup in Turkey! The Green-Whites beat Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam 2:1 (1:0) in the final. Just as in the semi-final, it was a goal on either side of the half time break that sealed the tie for the German club. Naldo (44’) and Jurica Vranjes (48’) got on the score sheet for Werder, whilst ex-Bremen man Angelos Charisteas reduced the deficit shortly before the end (85’).

 

The Efes Cup final was, albeit a small one, an event and Werder rose to the occasion with their appropriately named black jerseys. Trainer Thomas Schaaf made five changes to the side which beat Besiktas 4:0. Andi Reinke, Patraick Owomoyela, Petri Pasanen, Pierre Womé and Jurica Vranjes were given starts in place of Tim Wiese, Clemens Fritz, Per Mertesacker, Christian Schulz and Daniel Jensen.

 

The story of the first half doesn’t take long to tell – not a lot happened worth mentioning. It was a tentatively played game by both sides with genuine attacks, far less chances on goal, amounting to almost nil. Similar to the match against Besiktas, Werder raised the tempo just before the half time break leading to chances for Miroslav Klose (41’) and Hugo Almeida (42’).

 

Naldo heads Werder in front

 

It was a set piece just a minute before the half time whistle that saw Werder take the lead. A powerful drive forward by Diego resulted in a Bremen corner. Torsten Frings swung the dead ball into the box where Naldo climbed higher than his marker to head home from five meters out.

 

The second half started similarly to the second half against the Istanbul side too, with Werder hitting their opponents quickly. A long pass from the midfield overshot the Rotterdam back line and fell perfectly for Miro Klose who, with only the keeper to beat, saw Jurica Vranjes was in a better position and squared selflessly to his team mate. It was an easy knock in for the Croat who doubled the Werder lead – 2:0 (48’).

 

Double defiance by Reinke

 

After their second goal Werder took their foot off the pedal and allowed the Dutch side more of the play. The result was Andreas Reinke being called into action and the 38 year old proved that his age has done little to hinder his ability. Firstly the keeper had to be alert and quick off his mark to clear from an on-rushing Rotterdam striker (64’), a minute later he was on hand again to turn away a tight angled shot from Angelos Charisteas.

 

The Werder defence shored up and allowed little else to escape them whilst at the other end Hugo Almeida could have had a third and definitely put the game beyond Feyenoord. Played through cleverly by Pierre Womé, the Portuguese striker shot straight at keeper Timmer (71’).

 

Charisteas reduces the deficit

 

With the game, and the cup, looking firmly in German hands, the Dutch side managed to get themselves back in with a shout. Ironically it was ex-Werder striker Angelos Charisteas who got his side back into the game. Collecting a pass from Nicky Hofs, the Greek rounded keeper Reinke to slot the ball home – 2:1.

 

Werder had the final chance of the game with substitute Kevin Schindler hammered in an impressive volley in the 88th minute which was to prove the last shot on goal of the night. At their fifth attempt in the Efes-Pilsen cup, Werder Bremen finally took the trophy which had eluded them until now.

 

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