Paper Dreams: Werder Reach Final with a Bit of Help from a Litter Bug

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 semi final.

The odds were stacked against them after losing the first leg at home 1-0, and Bremen looked to be on their way out of the competition when Ivica Olic gave Hamburg a 2-0 aggregate lead early on. However, Werder refused to lie down and grabbed a deserved equaliser after a well worked goal from their majestic Brazilian, Diego, leaving 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 encounter.

With time running out disaster struck for Hamburg, as a routine back pass became 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 team's third goal of the night - Frank Baumann showed incredible bravery to meet the corner and head home from close range to put the tie out of reach for Hamburg.

However, there was to be another twist as the hard working Olic pulled a goal back with minutes remaining on the clock to make the aggregate score 3-3, but Hamburg still needed to find another goal to prevent elimination on the away goals rule.

It wasn't to be, as Werder Bremen held on to claim their reward of 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. He will be a huge miss.

As for Hamburg, Chelsea fans will agree—Away goals is a cruel way to go....