(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Werder Bremen have set up a clash with Shakthar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup final after edging ahead of fierce rivals Hamburg in an entertaining semifinal.
With the odds stacked against them after losing the first leg at home 1-0, Bremen looked to be on their way out of the competition when Ivica Olic gave the home team a 2-0 aggregate lead early on.
Werder refused to lie down and grabbed a deserved equaliser after a well worked goal from their majestic Brazilian Diego made left the tie interestingly poised at 2-1, and 1-1 on the night.
A goal would change the tie, if Werder were to score again they would be heading through on away goals and when Claudio Pizarro fired in from 25 yards to set up this scenario, it ensured that the supporters would see an exciting finale to what had been a thrilling two-legged semifinal.
With time running out disaster struck for Hamburg, as a routine back pass was made complicated when the ball hit a scrunched up piece of paper that had been thrown on to the pitch by a home fan.
As the defender swung his leg to pass the ball back to his keeper, the ball bobbled up, causing the player to slice the ball out for an unnecessary corner.
The fan in question must be devastated because what followed was the visiting teams third goal of the night when Frank Baumann showed incredible bravery to head home from close range and put the tie out of reach for the home team.
However, there was to be another twist as the hard working Olic pulled a goal back with minutes on the clock to make the aggregate score 3-3, but leaving Hamburg needing another to prevent elimination on the away goals rule.
It wasn't to be, as Werder Bremen held on and their reward is a place in the UEFA Cup final in Istanbul. The only sour point for Werder is that star man Diego received a booking which sees him suspended for the match against Shakthar and will be a huge miss.
As for Hamburg, Chelsea fans will agree—Away goals is a cruel way to go....
9 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete