Bremen lose Wiese for Greece trip
Monday, October 20, 2008
Article summary
Werder Bremen have travelled to Athens to tackle Panathinaikos FC on Wednesday without Tim Wiese after the goalkeeper ruptured a muscle in his left thigh during training, meaning a starting role for Christian Vander.
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Vander call
The 26-year-old Wiese slipped as he went to collect a cross and was immediately taken for tests, which confirmed the injury and prevented him from making the 19.15CET flight to Greece. "It would appear to be a torn muscle," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf. "There is no point in risking him for the game on Wednesday. All we can do now is be patient and wait for the results of a more detailed examination."
'Exceptional attitude'
Wiese will be replaced by Christian Vander, the man four days off his 28th birthday who twice deputised for the No1 in the UEFA Champions League last season – a 3-1 loss to Olympiacos CFP and 3-2 victory against Real Madrid CF. "It's really a pity for Tim but I am absolutely delighted about getting the chance to play and I'm ready," said Vander, who was given what has proved a valuable outing as cover for Bremen's reserve side on Sunday as they lost 2-1 to 1. FC Union Berlin. "Christian is always 100 per cent focused on the task at hand," said Schaaf. "His attitude is absolutely exceptional and I have no qualms at all about playing him on Wednesday."