Green Whites move to Pokal final

The Green Whites took another step towards the DFB Pokal as they defeated Nord derby rivals Hamburg 4-2 on penalties. With the victory Werder advances to the DFB Pokal final at the Olmypiastadion on 30 May.

Thomas Schaaf's side took the lead eleven minutes in as Diego's free-kick from the edge of the left side of the box was pushed back at the last gasp by HSV 'keeper Frank Rost but the rebound was pounded in by German international Per Mertesacker from close range. HSV brought the match level seven minutes past the hour when on a fast counter Ivica Olić's effort was saved by Tim Wiese but the rebound came out left to Guy Demel. His quick shot was re-directed by Olić in to square the match up.

Without further scoring the match headed to extra-time and still thirty additional minutes the match headed to penalties. Although Joris Mathijsen converted for HSV, one after another Tim Wiese denied Jérôme Boateng, Ivica Olić and Marcell Jansen while Claudio Pizarro, Mesut Özil and Torsten Frings converted. Werder now has the chance to win the DFB Pokal for the first time since their victory over Alemannia Aachen in 2004.