The Werder players started a new training week on Monday with Viktor Skripnik and the coaching staff welcoming the team back after giving the players the weekend off. It is a special week for the Werder players as Sunday 23 November 2014 will be the North Derby at Hamburg on 3:30 p.m. It is derby week!

For SVW, the Hamburg match will be about three important points. You can already sense the excitement within everyone involved. "Matches against Hamburg are very special games. These games build up in electricity well in advance," said Rouven Schröder, director of roster planning and scouting. "The derby is an absolute classic, a match that has a special meaning for everyone. We can't wait for it," said manager of sports Thomas Eichin.

Skripnik has plenty of experience about the meaning of the North Derby. "Matches against Hamburg are matches against Hamburg - everyone knows what that means," said the Werder coach in his typical manner. But the Ukrainian also knows that this match is still worth "only" three points - "nothing more, nothing less". The coach did not have to say much more because every one of his players knows what Sunday's all about. "The derby is an extremely important match for the fans and the whole club. We know that a victory against Hamburg can give us all a new push and so we know the importance of this match," said Felix Kroos.

The Green-Whites' recent record against Hamburg has been excellent. From the last six matches against Hamburg, Werder have left the pitch five times as winners, including in both matches last season. But it all starts over again on Sunday. Until then the excitement will grow day by day. It's derby week!