For the Lovers
European Cup Winners' Cup: The greatest success in Werder Bremen's history is winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1992 under coaching icon Otto Rehhagel. On May 6, 1992, Bremen beat AS Monaco 2-0 (1-0) in Lisbon through goals from Klaus Allofs and Wynton Rufer.
The Double: At least on a par with the club's only European trophy to date — Werder lost the 2009 UEFA Cup final 1-2 after extra time against Shakhtar Donetsk — is the 2004 "Double" of league title and DFB-Pokal for Werder fans. The fact that the title was clinched at rivals Bayern München gave it a special flavour.
"Fish weeks" against HSV: Equally memorable is the 2008/09 season, in which Werder Bremen triumphed over arch-rivals HSV in both the DFB-Pokal and UEFA Cup semi-finals during the unforgettable "Fischwochen."
Werder „rockt“ die 2. Bundesliga Nord: The bitter 1980 relegation was followed by immediate promotion – — with the best record across all divisions since the Bundesliga's inception. Calculated on a three-points-for-a-win basis, they collected 98 points from 42 matches (68 under the old system). On May 12, 1981, a 3-0 (2-0) win at VfB Oldenburg's legendary Donnerschweer Stadion („Die Hölle des Nordens“) die Rückkehr perfekt. Coach Otto Rehhagel's squad was stacked with names — alongside goalkeeper Dieter Burdenski, Schalke legend Klaus Fichtel and Erwin Kostedde took the field in Oldenburg, all former internationals.
One of the best runners-up ever: Werder's best Bundesliga season by points was 1982/83 with 75 points (converted; 52 under the old system). That meant level on points with arch-rivals Hamburger SV, whose goal difference was eight better. Small consolation: Rudi Völler became the first Bremen player to win the top-scorer award.
Best goal haul: The Weser's goal machines — Rudi Völler, Frank Neubarth and Uwe Reinders — let rip in 1984/85. Their 87 goals set a Werder Bundesliga record and represented the best attacking output that season. 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Karlsruhe headed home with 1-6 and 1-7 drubbings… Rudi Völler, the undisputed crowd favourite of those years, scored 25. But it was only enough for second place again, with Bayern collecting four more points.
Historic Double: The 2003/04 season — peak Werder! From matchday 16 (after a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen), the team of Werder legend Thomas Schaaf sat top of the table and never relinquished the lead. Six points clear of Bayern München, Werder Bremen were crowned German champions and then clinched the DFB-Pokal with a 3-2 victory over Alemannia Aachen at Berlin's Olympiastadion. In the shadow of top scorer Ailton, Ivan Klasnic emerged as the discovery of the season with 13 goals and 11 assists. At Werder's triumphal coronation on matchday 32 at Bayern (3-1), Klasnic humiliated Munich keeper Oliver Kahn.
Champions — and only table leaders twice! Perhaps the greatest Werder miracle in the Bundesliga! In the 1992/93 season, Bremen were crowned champions having been top of the table on only the final two matchdays! On matchday 4, after a 2-5 drubbing in Karlsruhe, Rehhagel and co. were down in 16th. On the last matchday, a 3-0 win in Stuttgart saw the northerners overtake perennial leaders FC Bayern, who slipped up with a 3-3 on Schalke — sweet revenge for the championship lost on the home straight in 1986.
Biggest home win: Werder Bremen thrashed Kickers Offenbach 8-1 on matchday 15 of the 1983/84 Bundesliga season. They matched the result on matchday 8 of the 2007/08 season, also in the Bundesliga, against Arminia Bielefeld.