After the dullest of dull games in the first leg last week, the second leg of the tie between Werder Bremen and FC Heidenheim got off to a blistering start when the Bundesliga side scored in the first minute.
Further opportunities to stretch their lead came and went in the first half before Heidenheim were equally profligate. As the game entered the last ten minutes the second division team still needed two goals to secure promotion. On 84 minutes the first arrived courtesy of Tim Kleindienst. Throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Bremen’s defence was now the order of the day. Five minutes of added time gave them an additional opportunity, however it also meant that huge gaps appeared at the back and Werder were able to take advantage of one of these to score the goal that ensured the team with the most Bundesliga games would keep their place in the top flight for yet another season. Even then there was brief hope when Heidenheim scored a penalty in the last of the added on minutes. However there was no time to restart and the Bremen players fell their knees in relief. Four weeks ago it looked like their 40 year streak in the Bundesliga was going to end, however some strong performances in the final weeks of the season saved them. There is no doubt though that considerable improvement is required, on a consistent basis, for the team not to be in a similar predicament next season.