Bremen and Hannover share the points after thrilling derby
Bremen - An end-to-end northern derby between SC Werder Bremen and Hannover 96 ended 3-3 at the Weser-Stadion.
Topsy-turvy affair
Lars Stindl gave Hannover an early lead before Zlatko Junuzovic’s free-kick levelled proceedings at the break. Melvyn Lorenzen netted after the restart, only for Joselu and Hiroshi Kiyotake to put the visitors 3-2 in front. An excellent late finish from Davie Selke, however, secured Bremen a vital point.
An unchanged Hannover side looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats began dominantly in Bremen and they were a goal up after 12 minutes, when good work from Joselu set Stindl up to slot home at the back post. Hannover allowed Bremen back into the game, however, and Junuzovic hit the post with a free-kick in the 18th minute. Clemens Fritz was forced to clear a Stindl effort off the line, before the hosts went up the other end and equalised, Junuzovic bending another set piece masterfully into the corner to send the sides into the break on level terms.
Viktor Skripnik’s side turned the game on its head within ten minutes of the start of the second half. Lorenzen picked up the ball on the left flank before cutting onto his right foot inside the box and firing home. The hosts’ advantage lasted but seven minutes, though, as Kiyotake brilliantly teed up Joselu. The goal infused Korkut's men with a desire to find a third, which they duly did when the Japanese's delivery evaded everyone en route to the bottom corner. Theodor Gebre Selassie had a gilt-edged chance to equalise, before Selke arrived late into the box in the 88th minute to earn the hosts a valuable draw.
Line-ups and statistics
