Werder Bremen’s opponents in the third round of UEFA Championsl League qualifying is not yet quite decided. On 14/15. 08.2007, the Green-Whites will take on the winners of the second round encounter between NK Domzale and Dinamo Zagreb. The first leg in Slovakian Domzale finished in a 2:1 (1:0) win for Zagreb, the return leg will be played on Tuesday, 07.08.2007.

On the 14/15.08.2007, Werder Bremen will initially have the home advantage with the return leg to be played on 28/29.08.2007.

In the first qualifying round, Zagreb progressed past FK Khazar with a 1:1 draw followed by a 3:1 win after extra time. NK Domzale beat FK Tirana 1:0 and 2:1 to book their second round spot.

Post draw reactions:

Jürgen L. Born, chairman of the Werder Bremen board and present at the draw:

“We are not dissatisfied with the draw, even though we would have preferred to play away first I’ll be happy when the second leg is over and we’ve qualified for the Champions League. I can imagine that Dinamo Zagreb will progress after their 2:1 win in the first leg. I’ve also been informed that they’ve scored five goals in each of their first two league games.”

Head coach Thomas Schaaf:

“At the moment it looks as though we’ll be up against Zagreb. They have a long tradition of good football. If we should have to face the Slovakians, we are aware that they are a technically good side. You can expect good performances from any of the teams who have gotten this far. It doesn’t bother me that we play at home first – we’ve seen the effects of that in the past.

Of course we’ve had a look at both sides. We are more familiar with Zagreb but we will be getting all possible information available on them. We expect to get through this qualifying round.”

Jurica Vranjes, Werder player and Croatian international:

“I’m pretty sure Zagreb will be our opponents and I’d be very happy about that. It’s alway nice to make a trip back home, especially on business! I know Dinamo Zagreb very well and all the players too. I think the task will be more difficult than two years ago against FC Basel.

We’ll have to keep an eye on the number 10, Modric. I play with him in the national team. Recently they have sold two of their best players with Da Silva going to Arsenal London during the summer and Corluka who signed for Manchester City two days ago. They are two losses which will weaken the team.

The crowd fill drive the team on but they are not quite so football crazy. The stadium is only ever full for national games, UEFA Cup matches of derby’s. Many league games are played in front of four or five thousand.”

Ivan Klasnic, Werder player and Croatian international:

“Zagreb will be our opponents, they won’t let Domzale take that away from them now. Zagreb are a top Croatian side with some big names in the squad. Modric, for example, is our play maker in the national team and Georg Koch is a good keeper too. They have sold their best striker, da Silva, to Arsenal now. I’d really like to be involved in that game.”

Co-trainer Wolfgang Rolff:

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Croatians or the Slovakians, we’ll be faced with a technically good and very mobile opponent. Dinamo Zagreb are well known for their youth work and have developed international stars consistently for many years. I’m looking forward to seeing Georg Koch again, he is the keeper there. I got to know his as I was studying to become a trainer in Eindhoven and he was keeper there at that time. He’s a good man to have.”

Kevin Schindler, Werder striker:

“I can’t really say much about either side at the moment, I’ll have to inform myself about them. The only thing I know is that Georg Koch is the Zagreb keeper. We are favourites but it will certainly be no easy task.”