Following the win over Borussia Dortmund, Ivan Klasnic had further reason to celebrate in the ‘Mixed Zone’at the Weser Stadium. The Croatian newspaper ‘Vecernji list’ presented the Werder striker with the ‘Courageous Heart 2007’ award – a great honour for Ivan Klasnic: “That is a wonderful prize which I am very happy to receive. It’s nice to know that my fellow countrymen have followed my story and support me.”

In explaining the reason for the destination of the award it was stated: “Ivan Klasnic went through a real life drama to come back and achieve great things with Werder Bremen in December 2007. He is living proof that one can be successful in life if the iron will to do so is there.”

The ‘Courageous Heart’ award has been bestowed upon Croatian sports men and women since 2006, who have shown the courage needed in the face of adversity to recover from injury and illness before bouncing back to perform at the highest level.

Early in 2007, Ivan Klasnic had to go through the trauma of two kidney transplant operations. Months of rehabilitation were followed by weeks of regenerative training before the Croatian international was able to return to the Bundesliga in November 2007. Since his return he has played eight games in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and UEFA Cup, scoring four goals for the Green-Whites.