Werder crowned their fantastic start to the season with a 3:0 win against Hansa Rostock on Tuesday night and took the "Half-Season" championship to the delight of their fans and themselves. It took just three minutes for Ailton to put Werder in front. The lead was increased to 2:0 by Valérien Ismael in the second half before Krisztian Lisztes, as in Leverkusen, made the three points safe(89).

The smoke of the "Bengalesse fire", set alight by the Rostock fans, had barely cleared the Weser-Stadium when the "goal machine" Ailton struck once again. Fabian Ernst broke through strongly on the left, pased to the overlapping Frank Baumann who hit a low ball into the Rostock penalty area. Rostocks' Delano Hills' boot seemed to stick in thee turf and the ball landed at the feet of Bremens Brazilian. The "Bundesligas" current top scorer didn't need to be asked twice before cracking an unstopable shot for keeper Mathias Schrober into the top corner, capping his phenomenal record of 16 goals in 16 appearences. As so often this season Bremen made a flying start, which was almost fruitful prior to Ailtons strike. From a through pass by Krisztian Lisztes, Ivan Klasnic cracked the first warning towards the Rostock goal from 20 meters.

Werder controlled the first fifteen minutes barely allowing the vistors a chance to take a breath. A foul from Joakim Persson on Werders Krisztian Lisztes twenty meters fom goal gave Werder their next chance on nine minutes, but the resulting free-kick from Valérien Ismael was saved brilliantly by Mathias Schrober. Then the team from the "Baltic sea" appeared to hear their wake up call and took their part in the match. Martin Max had the visitors first real chance after a nod on from teammate Rade Prica, but the Rostock striker chipped both keeper Andreas Reinke and the Bremen goal(16). Thomas Schaafs' team seemed to loose the thread of the game often over complicating defensive combinations and misplacing too many passes, opening oportunities for the travelling side. As was the case mid way through the first half. A long ball in behind the Werder backline landed at the feet of Rade Prica who failed pitifully in front of Andreas Reinke(20). Just seconds later, defender Mladen Klasnic unneccessarily gave the ball away to Prica on the edge of his own box, But Prica once again couldn't convert his chance(21).

VALÉRIA ISMAELS' SECOND OF THE SEASON.

Bremens much feared short passing game came back into effect at the end of the first half. Fabian Ernst played in Krisztian Lisztes who, after a one-two with Ivan Klasnic, knocked the ball on to Ailton. The Brazilian passed forward to Tim Borowski who headed back to Werders "Kugelblitz", but he waited too long to get his shot away(33). Then a dream combination left the fans on the terraces in ecstacy. Breman began to find space. Four Rostock players covered the Bremen attack of Ailton and Ivan Klasnic leaving the way clear for midfielders Tim Borowski and Fabian Ernst to advance on the Rostock goal. The 34th minute saw a shot from Johan Micouds' deputy Tim Borowski whiz past the upright from outside the box. Rostock only managed one opening before the half-time whistle through ex Werder player Razundara Tjikuzu, but "Raschis" shot missed Reinkes goal by mere centimeters.

Both teams took their foot off the pedal in the second half not creating any real goal chances until the 62nd minute, and then, once again, for Rostock. Tjikuzu crossed to Rade Prica who lobbed Andreas Reinke, standing in no-mans-land, but just missed the target. This was to be the visitors last chance of the game, from here on in Bremen took charge of the proceedings. A cross from Lisztes was met by substitute Angelos Charisteas, who'd climbed above the rest, but his header couldn't beat the Rostock defence(65). The Greek international was causing problems again minutes later. Played through from Tim Borowski, "Harry" couldn't manage to beat Rostock keeper Reinke(70). Bremen could sense another goal in the air. Fabian Ernst headed to Ivan Klasnic, the Croatian then knocked on to Tim Borowski but his shot just missed the target. A foul on Angelo Charisteas on the edge of the box led to a Krisztian Lisztes free-kick, which found Valérien Ismael who headed home. Valérien Ismael celebrated his first "Bundesliga" goal showing his love of the Bremen faithful in a Santa hat. Just before time Krisztian Lisztes settled the issue after a dream pass from Tim Borowski. Totally free on the right he crashed the ball into the left angle.

SV WERDER BREMEN: Reinke- Stalteri(84. Magnin), Ismael, Krstajic, Davala- Ernst, Baumann, Borowski, Lisztes- Klasnic(81. Valdez), Ailton(60. Charisteas)

HANSA ROSTOCK: Schober- Tjikuzu, Möhrle, Hill, Amuobe(64. Vorbeck)- Maul, Rydlewicz(87. Rydlewicz), Persson, Schultz- Max(80. Di Salvo), Prica

GOALS: 1:0 Ailton (3), 2:0 Ismael (78), 3:0 Lisztes (89)

YELLOW CARDS: Baumann, Ismael (Werder) - Abuobe, Möhrle, Rydlewicz (Rostock)

REFEREE: Lutz Michael Fröhlich (Berlin)

ATTENDENCE: 32,754

SHOTS: 20:10

CORNERS: 3:3

POSSESSION: 53%:47%

TACKLES WON: 57%:43%

FOULS: 17:18

OFFSIDES: 1:5 (all Werder viewpoint)

BALL CONTACT: Lisztes (Werder) 74x - Tjikuzu (Rostock) 79x

TACKLES: Ismael (Werder) 76% - Max (Rostock) 56%