Bremen crowned champions
Saturday, May 8, 2004
Article summary
SV Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said their 3-1 win was "a fantastic way to crown a fantastic season."
Article body
SV Werder Bremen sealed their fourth Bundesliga title with a stylish 3-1 victory at outgoing champions FC Bayern München today.
Early goals
Three goals in the first 35 minutes set up Bremen for a win that put them nine points above second-placed Bayern with two matches left and gave them their first championship since 1993. "It was a fantastic way to crown a fantastic season," said victorious coach Thomas Schaaf. His Bayern counterpart, Ottmar Hitzfeld, was gracious in defeat, saying: "I would like to congratulate Werder who had a great season and deserve to be champions."
Kahn mistake
A mistake by Oliver Kahn set up the visitors when the Bayern goalkeeper released the ball after a weak effort from Brazilian striker Ailton on 19 minutes, and Croatian Ivan Klasnic followed up to open the scoring. French playmaker Johan Micoud doubled the advantage on 26 minutes and Ailton inflicted further punishment on the home side with a superb strike from the edge of the box ten minutes from the break.
Stuttgart beaten
Dutch striker Roy Makaay pulled one back with a volley from ten metres in the 56th minute but Bayern were never in contention. The only good news for Bayern on Saturday was that third-placed VfB Stuttgart also lost, 2-1 at Hamburger SV, and remained four points behind the Munich club in the race for automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League. Stefan Beinlich and Nico-Jan Hoogma put Hamburg 2-0 in front before Cacau gave Stuttgart some hope with an 86th-minute goal.
Closing in
Bayer 04 Leverkusen moved to within two points of Stuttgart by beating 1. FC Köln 2-0, Clemens Fritz and França scoring either side of half-time, while fifth-placed BV Borussia Dortmund lost 6-2 at Hertha BSC Berlin. VfL Bochum, in sixth, play SC Freiburg on Sunday, as Hansa Rostock take on TSV 1860 München, third from bottom and battling to avoid relegation.
Eintracht doomed?
Eintracht Frankfurt appear doomed to the drop after they lost 3-0 at Hannover 96 and 15th-placed 1. FC Kaiserslautern came from behind to defeat VfL Wolfsburg 3-2. VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach proved too strong for FC Schalke 04 in the remaining game, running out 2-0 winners.
Home victories
On Sunday, VfL Bochum 1848 defeated SC Freiburg 3-0 while Martin Max opened the scoring as FC Hansa Rostock secured a 3-0 win of their own, at home against TSV 1860 München.
