• Home
• Archives
• Write for Us
• Advertise
• Links
• Live Scores
• Contact

• Latest Headlines
• Transfer News
• Editorial
• Football Tickets
• Editorial
• Soccer Tickets
• Football Kits

Diego and Baumann say farewell to Bremen

They did it before kick-off, continuously throughout the game and of course especially emphatically after the match. The fans cheered with fervour and enthusiasm, full of adoration and gratitude. They sang and danced and turned the final into a tribute for two great Werder players. It was moving how the fans at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium paid homage to Diego and Frank Baumann. The final against Bayer Leverkusen for both was their final appearance in a Werder jersey. And it turned out triumphant. “What a wonderful farewell game,” said Per Mertesacker.

“It was very emotional even before the game,” said manager Klaus Allofs. “When the hymn was playing and you see players like Baumann and Diego for the last time in Werder dress, you really have to hold it back.” Goal scorer Mesut Özil was full of praise for Diego: “That was a good ball from Diego. I thanked him for that and for his very good match. It’s really too bad that Diego is leaving. We always played really well together and got along good off the pitch.” And head coach Thomas Schaaf had some fine words about Frank Baumann, who had to leave the pitch with an Achilles tendon injury after 60 minutes in the final game of his career. “He is a tremendous sportsman and man. He totally deserved all the applause and sympathies that he received,” said Schaaf.

It is simply a wonderful football story that Werder won a title to finish off a turbulent season in the final game for Frank Baumann and Diego, two so defining players within the team. Of course the team could only win the final playing together. But somehow this is also Diego’s and Baumann’s cup.

Paolo Maldini Plays His Last Ever Football Match

Rossoneri Captain Paolo Maldini led his teammates to capture Florentina at the Artemio Franchi stadium of Florence. This is his last appearance for AC Milan, and also for his career. Although it’s an away match, his farewell is not meant only for the San Siro but for football stadiums as a whole. Last week, Rome wore special T-shirt to show the respect, and today Artemio Franchi is the home to the captain’s final farewell.

Kaka’s goal put Milan a lead in the 55th minute, and the second goal came from his Brazil compatriot Pato in the 76th minute. Rossoneri finish this season in the third place and return to the Champions League next season directly.  A wonderful final match, especially with Nesta and Gattuso return. 

It’s a very special and delicate week，even the season just finished, the battle of the next season has already started. Without Paolo, who will be Rossoneri leader? Who will be the manager? Will Kaka and Pirlo leave? Let’s go and see. Anyhow, grazie, Milan!

Dan Wu

Werder Bremen Win German Cup

Werder Bremen won the 66th German Cup final by holding off Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1-0. The winning goal was scored by Mesut Özil in the 58th minute. The cup victory means Bremen will play internationally in 2009-10 in the UEFA Europa League.

A sold-out crowd of 72,954 at the Berlin Olympic Stadium saw an entertaining match from the start and Werder Bremen took control after a quarter-hour. Thomas Schaaf’s team stood very well in defence, organised by centre back Naldo and kept Leverkusen’s strikers Patrick Helmes and Stefan Kiessling in check. And Werder playmakers Mesut Özil and Diego did a fine job pushing the Bremen attack forward.

But Werder failed to take advantage of a number of good chances in the first half, including a header by Sebastian Sebastian Prödl (6’), a long distance shot from Torsten Frings (16’), a shot by Diego (25’) and Naldo’s dangerous header (45’). Leverkusen’s best chance came after 22 minutes as Renato Augusto fed Helmes, who was alone from 12 yards out but shot wide of goal as the game went to intermission dead-locked at 0-0.

Werder were finally rewarded for their determination in the 58th minute. Diego sent a superb ball from the midfield to Özil and the talented midfielder unleashed a blast from the left side which was slightly deflected by Manuel Friedrich past Leverkusen keeper Rene Adler for the Bremen lead. Leverkusen increased their offensive pressure and actually began dominating play. Bruno Labbadia’s team, however, were unable to convert their chances on offence late in the game as Bremen held on for the victory. The victory was also a fond farewell for Diego, who is transferring to Juventus Turin, and Frank Baumann, who is heading into retirement. The Green-Whites won their sixth German Cup final.

Pizarro Eyes Cup Final Victory

Werder play their second cup final of the season on Saturday 30 May 2009 when they take on Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup final in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. This will be another chance for Claudio Pizarro to grab his first title with the Green-Whites. The Peruvian explained to WERDER.DE why he absolutely wants to win his third final in Werder dress.

Claudio, this season has not gone that well for Werder Bremen as the goal for the Bundesliga was far off. What would it mean for the team to be able to crown off the season with a title?
Of course we have not played well this season in the league. But it would be very, very important for the players and the club to grab this title and play internationally next season. Of course I hope we achieve this goal. But we have the necessary quality to win the final.

Bayer Leverkusen also remained well behind their expectations in the Bundesliga. Who goes into the final as favourite?
Especially in the situation of a final, it’s very difficult to name a favourite. We were not very good in our last game which makes it difficult to say that we are the favourites.

What must the team do to beat Leverkusen and return to Bremen with the German Cup?
We just have to win and score our goals. And in order to do that we have to go into the game very concentrated. But there is also a matter of motivation. The players have to know how awesome a feeling it is to hold the cup in your hands.

Saturday will also see Diego play his final game in Werder dress. How important is it that the Brazilian can play in this final?
Very important. Diego has always brought good things to our game. And I hope that it will be the same on Saturday.

Do you have a certain anticipation or are you mainly nervous due to the big meaning of this final?
There is always tension, but I am not nervous. We have quite a few very experienced players among our ranks. It’s important that we remain concentrated and play good football.

What are you going to do after the final weekend when Werder’s marathon season of 55 matches finally draws to a close?
Holidays. Everything else is secret (laughing).

Wolfsburg sign Danish midfielder

German champions Wolfsburg have secured their first signing of the summer as they capture Thomas Kahlenberg from Auxerre.

“I am happy that I will be playing for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, 26-year-old Kahlenberg said on the club’s official site. “I hope that I can be of use for the team to remain at the top of the Bundesliga and play an important part in the Champions League.”

Kahlenberg has played in Ligue 1 since 2005 scoring 18 goals in 100 appearances for the club.

Next Page »

Football News | Football Kits |