Bremen book semi-final berth

Bundesliga leaders SV Werder Bremen reached the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal with a dramatic 3-2 win at second division SpVgg Greuther Fürth tonight.

Added-time drama
Bremen's prospects looked bleak as the match moved into added time with the visitors trailing 2-1 and down to ten men. However, French playmaker Johan Micoud equalised in the 91st minute and, with the final whistle seconds away, Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic exploited a defensive mistake to score the winning goal.

Stalteri strikes
Bremen seemed to be on course for a comfortable win when Canadian midfield player Paul Stalteri put them in front after 18 minutes with a powerful effort from 20 metres, but they were unable to build on that lead.

Quick turnaround
Defender Valérien Ismael inadvertently brought Fürth back into the game 17 minutes from time, heading into his own net to make the score 1-1. Striker Marcus Feinbier then gave the underdogs the lead with a close-range volley three minutes later and Bremen looked to be faltering when Turkish defender Ümit Davala was sent off for a second bookable offence with seven minutes left.

Stiel saves
In tonight's other games, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach needed penalties to finally end the challenge of second division MSV Duisburg after a 2-2 draw. Mönchengladbach goalkeeper Jörg Stiel was the key figure in the shoot-out, producing two crucial saves as his side won 4-3. There will be one second division side in the last four, however, as Silvio Adzic's strike gave VfB Lübeck 1919 a narrow 1-0 win at amateur side TSG Hoffenheim.

Fourth quarter-final
The semi-final lineup will be completed on Wednesday night, when second division TSV Alemannia 1900 Aachen play holders FC Bayern München.