A green miracle

A green miracle in the Champions League – 3-0 deficit turned to 5-3 win over Anderlecht

Wynton Rufer was soaked and crossed the Weser Stadium in a handstand, but the New Zealand footballer wasn't the only one head over heels on 8 December 1993. Werder Bremen had just beaten RSC Anderlecht 5-3 in an absolutely legendary match after a breath-taking comeback. The Belgians experienced a truly "green miracle" on the banks of the Weser.

In the 1993-94 season, the reigning Bundesliga champions Werder became the first German team to reach the eight-team group stage of the newly formed Champions League. But Werder did not have a good start, falling behind FC Porto 3-0 before losing 3-2. On the second game day there was a home match against RSC Anderlecht, and the Belgians led 3-0 after two scores by Boffin and a tally by Alberts. Bremen did not score until the 66th minute by Rufer. The goal was only seen by about half of the original 29,000 spectators on a cold, wet night in Bremen as the rest of the fans had made their way back home. But those still on hand experienced a truly amazing 18 final minutes. Rune Bratseth cut the deficit to 3-2 in the 72nd minute and the equaliser through Bernd Hobsch after 80 minutes turned Weser Stadium into a madhouse. Marco Bode gave Bremen the lead 4-3 with seven minutes to play and then Rufer finished off the unforgettable European Cup night with the final score to make it 5-3.

Bremen, 08 December 1993, Weser Stadium
SV Werder Bremen - RSC Anderlecht 5-3 (0-3)
Werder: Reck - Bratseth, Beiersdorfer, Borowka, Basler (87' Wiedener), Votava, Herzog (46' Wolter), Eilts, Bode - Hobsch, Rufer
Anderlecht: de Wilde - Emmers, Rutjes, Albert, Crasson, Zetterberg (83' Kooiman), Walem, Boffin, Versavel, Haagdorn, Bosman (70' Nilis)
Goals: 0-1 Albert (16'), 0-2 Boffin (18'), 0-3 Boffin (33'), 1-3 Rufer (66'), 2-3 Bratseth (72'), 3-3 Hobsch (80'), 4-3 Bode (83'), 5-3 Rufer (89')
Referee: Ion Craciunescu (Romania)
Spectators: 29,000

Als Werder den SSC Neapel in die Knie zwang
Cups and championships – title years along the Weser
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