Before Werder Bremen make a single cent from the Champions League, they first have a price to pay. At the official afternoon meal for the club management in Zagreb, Bremen and Dinamo bosses worked out a compensatory prize for the losing side. Had the Green-Whites had to go into the UEFA Cup, the Zagreb side would have sent a kilogram of truffles to the Weser Stadium whilst Werder’s win means they must send the Croatian club 30 cases of Becks beer. “It was just a bit of fun surrounding our local specialities but you can believe me, I’ve never been so happy to donate 30 cases of beer”, commented Werder chairman, Jürgen L. Born, euphorically after the Green-Whites progression to the Champions League group stage.

There was good humour all around in the Werder camp having qualified to join the cream of European football yet again. Klaus Allofs again pointed out the sporting and financial advantages of the clubs participation: “Of course the takings financially are massively different but there is also a difference in the minds of the players as to whether they are playing in the Champions League or not.” Thomas Schaaf explained: “The fact that Werder are playing in the Champions League for the fourth time in a row is something very special in the history of the club.”

The Werder coach had only just joined his players in the changing rooms after the game as the second wonderful piece of news reached the team. The news from Prague was that the Czech’s had eliminated Ajax Amsterdam from the competition: “That means we now take a place in ‘Pot 2’ in Thursday’s group draw. It’s a nice feeling to know you are officially considered one of the top 16 clubs in European football. This time around we can’t land in a group with both Chelsea and Barcelona”, explained Klaus Allofs who knows he will also be spared Olympique Lyon, FC Valencia, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven, AS Rome, Benfica Lisbon and the winner of the AEK Athens / FC Seville tie which was postponed after the tragic death of Spanish international Antonio Puerta.

Those in charge at Werder have no illusions that the situation will make things any easier: “Now only the very best teams are involved.” A quick glance at ‘Pot 1’, from which Werder will have one opponent, proves just that point. The Weser Stadium will be graced by the presence of either AC Milan, FC Liverpool, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal London, Chelsea London or Manchester United. Unforgettable European nights are guaranteed in Bremen again this Autumn.

Should it be really difficult for Werder, they could also find themselves in a group with Lazio Rome (Pot 3) and Glasgow Rangers (Pot 4) or Glasgow Celtic (Pot 3) and one of the Turkish sides (Besikas or Fenerbahce) from Pot 4.

In just a few hours all will be revealed. At 6pm on Thursday afternoon the draw will be made in Monaco (live on Eurosport). The Bremen representatives were cautious with their wishes. Captain Frank Baumann: “I’d really like three big name sides. We’re in the Champions League for the fourth time now and it was always the clashes against the top clubs which made the difference.” General manager Klaus Allofs stated happily that he won’t have to go to Chelsea and Barcelona: “We’ve been in Barcelona twice now and I’d like another challenge from the island in place of Chelsea again.”

Johnnie Muldoon