With a golden opportunity before them, the Green Whites Champions League hopes ended with a 2-2 draw to Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. Still winless in five matches, Werder sits at the bottom of their group with four points, one behind Anorthosis. While they were the beneficiary of being drawn into what most will consider the weakest of groups, they will need to defeat Inter in Milan to have any chance of finishing third and earning a UEFA Cup spot. While I am “jumping the gun” with this pronouncement, it can only be considered a horrible disappointment for the club and they will need to reconsider the style of Football they wish to play and obviously their squad. Werder started with extremely strong intent and were clearly the aggressor but for all the pace and intent, they lack the final punch in the final third of the pitch. Seventeen minutes after the break Nikos Nikolaou scored for the hosts off a Sávio corner where he was left unmarked in a highly unprofessional manner. The goal definitely picked up the spirits of the Cypriot side and six minutes later as Sávio benefited from poor defending and pilfered an easy goal off a rebound. Down by two, Werder showed resolve and benefited Nikos Nikolaou adjudged to pulling Aaron Hunt in the area. With the spot pointed-to, Diego easily converted to draw one back. Werder attacked endlessly and with three minutes remaining Hugo Almeida rocketed an opportunistic drive to the back of the net to bring the match even. Almeida was gifted another chance at time wound down but the Anorthosis ‘keeper came up with a match saving stop and the match ended 2-2.
