SV Werder Bremen : Hamburger SV

After watching the UEFA Cup semi-final between Werder Bremen and HSV in an Irish pub in Nuremberg on the previous Thursday, we were now able to watch the Nord derby live in Bremen.

After a somewhat lengthy journey to the far north, we settled into a nice guesthouse and then immediately went to the Werder Bremen ground. The stadium was under reconstruction at that time. Half of the site was already finished and made a nice impression. It should be a real jewel box.

The area is very large. There are about 15 football pitches around the stadium where everything from the amateurs to the district league plays. Even a rugby team could be seen playing a training game. On the amateurs' pitch, there was a delicious bratwurst for the sensational price of 1.50 (although we still wonder why you only get half a toast with it???). The beer was also in a low price range, which made it very cosy there.

On the way around the stadium, you found a spot at the adjacent yacht club, where a few stalls with beer tables had set up a casual spot. So there you could have a few cool drinks before the game in the bright sunshine while watching the Bremen fans arrive by ferry (cult factor!).

In the stadium we had a seat next to the away sector behind the goal. At the moment we still had the running track in between, but due to the reconstruction this will no longer be the case. The Weser Stadium will be a pure football stadium: that's good.

For us Austrians, there was double joy: Besides Sebastion Prödl, Martin Harnik was also allowed to start. Both did a good job and contributed to the 2:0 victory for Bremen.

As good as the catering was outside the stadium, it was inadequate inside. Beer stands were nowhere to be found, and the beer dispensers running around only had warm beer available. There is definitely room for improvement...