It is the nature of German football that second teams of 'the big boys' get to have 'training matches' against the first teams of smaller clubs in a competitive situation. This is beneficial to the big clubs, as the youngsters get to experience games in the stadium environment, and perhaps to the smaller clubs in financial terms, but for me it all seems artificial.
The Bremen boys played some nice passing football and showed off their skills to their coach. Havelse let them, but not in the final third of the pitch. Werder could not get through the 'red wall'.
Werder's young defence was a lot more fragile and were at fault for the first three goals:
1) a deflection past the 'keeper from a left wing cross;
2) a free header from a right wing corner; and
3) a poor clearance straight to the main striker who tucked the ball away past the 'keeper's left hand.
By the 80 minute mark I had seen enough, I left and I missed the last two goals (I had to consider the Sunday transport timetable and my need for a nice curry).
The Hannover suburb of Garbsen has a great little team in TSV Havelse. And it is reasonably well supported. Their hardcore fans (wearing Santa hats (in August)) in the 'Hannover Airport Tribune' were noisy throughout and they must be delighted that their team sits proudly at the top of the league table.
All in all it was a nice afternoon out in the northern German sunshine and our beer was so nice that the local wasps wanted to drink it too.
