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UEFA Cup News :: Match background for UEFA Cup Final - Shaktar Donetsk v Werder Bremen

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Posted on 2009-05-19 by Gooner

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The 38th and final UEFA Cup brings together Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) and Werder Bremen (Germany) for the final in Istanbul pn 20th May 2009.

Shaktar are looking for a first European trophy and Werder Bremen their second following their triumph in the 1991/92 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Shakhtar are aiming to become the first Ukrainian side to win the UEFA Cup. Should Bremen triumph, it would be a seventh success for German clubs, which would make the Bundesliga the second most successful league in UEFA Cup terms behind Serie A, who have provided nine winning teams.

Last Weekend Action

FC Zorya Luhansk 0-3 FC Shakhtar Donetsk
(Seleznov 28 74, Willian 80)
Shakhtar guaranteed the runners-up spot in Ukraine with two matches remaining after a comfortable away success at Zorya despite fielding almost an entire second XI.

Yevgen Seleznov sent the visitors on their way with a goal in
either half, and Brazilian forward Willian sealed the win with a precise effort.

Werder Bremen 1-3 Karslruher SC
(Almeida 73; Stindl 28 39, Iashvili 55)
An understrength Bremen went down to a surprise home defeat by bottom side Karlsruhe. The game got off to a turbulent start as Tim Wiese saved a Marco Engelhardt penalty in the third minute.

The visitors took the lead just before half-hour mark when Lars Stindl headed in and the same player then volleyed in a second before the break.

Slack defending allowed Alexander Iashvili to make it three and although Hugo Almeida – suspended for the final – got one back late on, it was too little, too late for the hosts.

Head to Head records

These sides have never met directly head to head.

Shakhtar Donetsk's record against German clubs :
P9 W4 D2 L3 F10 A10

Werder Bremen's record against Ukrainian clubs :
P4 W2 D1 L1 F14 A6

Suspensions

Shakhtar Donetsk :
Olexandr Kucher returns from suspension but Tomas Hubschmann misses the final following a booking in the semi-final second leg.

Werder Bremen :
Diego and Hugo Almeida are both serving one-match bans in the final.

Match Officials :

Referee : Luis Medina Cantalejo (ESP)
Assistant referees : Jesús Calvo Guadamuro (ESP), Roberto Diaz Perez Del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth official : Alfonso Perez Burrull (ESP)

 

Sourced From : UEFA Press Kit

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