On Tuesday, 10.07.2007, Werder Bremen will play a further friendly in preparation for the 2007/2008 season. At 7pm, the Green-Whites will take on VfL Oldenburg at the ‘Marschweg-Stadion’ in Oldenburg
On Tuesday, 10.07.2007, Werder Bremen will play a further friendly in preparation for the 2007/2008 season. At 7pm, the Green-Whites will take on VfL Oldenburg at the ‘Marschweg-Stadion’ in Oldenburg
On Tuesday, 10.07.2007, Werder Bremen will play a further friendly in preparation for the 2007/2008 season. At 7pm, the Green-Whites will take on VfL Oldenburg at the ‘Marschweg-Stadion’ in Oldenburg – a club that don’t just draw comparisons with Werder because of their club colours.
“Just like Werder, we were in the battle for the league title for a long time but we were eventually pipped at the post”, explained Rainer Bartels, VfL’s sporting director. Oldenburg play in the Lower Saxon League – West and last season finished in third place, having battled against relegation in the two previous seasons. “Just like my more famous opposite number Klaus Allofs, I’ve managed to keep the foundation of the team together”, admitted Bartels. Having bid ‘Adieu’ to just three players before the coming season, Bartels intends to bolster his squad with players from their own youth team. The current squad is formed in its essence from players who are between 18 and 24. “We have faith in our youngsters and have an exemplary youth policy. We have co-operated in this area with Werder Bremen for many years”, explained Bartels, who, with Arne Tammen from Kickers Emden has really strengthened his side. The 35 year old Tammen will slot in at the heart of the defence in Oldenburg along side the equally experienced Christian Claaßen, who once played for HSV.
Just like Werder, the team coached by Frank Claaßen (Christian’s brother) began their pre-season preparations on July 2nd and will, also as the Bundeliga side, play their third pre-season friendly on Tuesday. Previously Oldenburg played against second division TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (1:6) and against non-league VfL Wildeshausen (3:3). League opponents of Werder’s first friendly competitors TuS Pewsum (7:2), Claaßen’s men are hoping for at least an optical success against the Green-Whites: “I’m optimistic and can imagine a 3:6. Hat wold be a good, high-scoring game and a better result that Pewsum’s”, joked Bartels, who continued: “It should really just be an enjoyable evening of football. Klaus and Thomas (Allofs and Schaaf) have both promised me a top game. The weather should hold up so we should all have some fun.”
There has been a great deal of effort made to put together a fun programme around the match and the event will be hosted by German sports reporter Jörg Wontorra.
6,000 tickets for the visit of Werder Bremen have already changed hands in Oldenburg: “We’re hopeful that a few more will show up on the day but all the seated places are now taken”, explained Bartels but he also warned of the poor parking facilities surrounding the ‘Marschweg Stadion’. “There are not enough parking places and we unfortunately don’t have a ‘Park and Ride’ system here. Those coming in private cars should be prepared for this situation.”
