When Torsten Frings hammered a blast at 108kmph into the net for the 2-1 winning goal in the 92nd minute, the Green-Whites' celebrations knew no bounds. And players, coaches and fans embraced one another minutes after the final whistle of a dramatic but well deserved victory. "We are very happy that we were able to win the game in the final second," said a visibly relieved Werder head coach Thomas Schaaf at the post-game press conference. "It was clear that we wouldn't be able to conjure up any magic today - I didn't expect that. But the team battled and showed that they want to do it better," praised Schaaf, who also celebrated his 200th Bundesliga victory as Werder coach.
"The team came up with a good reaction to a streaky preparation," said manager Klaus Allofs about the team. The Green-Whites especially reacted well to the late equaliser by Boris Vukcevic in the 87th minute. "When we conceded the 1-1 goal, I couldn't believe it. But we didn't give up and we fought to the end and scored the winner through a dream goal by Frings," said Claudio Pizarro. "We rewarded ourselves after a good game. We fought to the point of exhaustion, from the first to final minute. And we saw that even luck can return with that kind of free kick in the final minute," added Frings.
"That was the right start," said Schaaf about the performance of his team. "Whenever it's 1-0 for that long of course you're hoping that the game ends that way. But that made the celebrations all the bigger after we scored the game winner," said the 49-year-old. "I am happy for the team. Everyone could see that if you come up with the appropriate performance that other results are possible."