Romano Schmid scored the first goal for Werder Bremen in the 43rd minute Photo: ANNEGRET HILSE/REUTERS
By Joerg Lubrich
Football Festival in Lusatia. 20,078 fans at the sold-out Energie Cottbus Friendship Stadium. And the Lausitzers make it really difficult for Bundesliga club Werder to progress in the first round of the cup, only having to admit defeat by just under 1:2.
Werder continues to wobble. Hats off to the fighting performance of the Lausitz kickers. That gives courage for the start of the season in the regional league on Friday at VSG Altglienicke.
Bremen, with midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt (28), who grew up in Cottbus, in the starting XI, has been forewarned, lost 2-0 to Osnabrück in the first round of the cup last season. This time coach Ole Werner’s team is concentrated and determines the game from the start. Lucky for Energie as a Ducksch shot hits the post (10′). Cottbus held out until the final minutes of the first half.
But two minutes before the break, Füllkrug Schmid is free. The Austrian sank into the right corner to make it 0:1.
But energy gives everything and never gives up even after the 0: 2 of the ex-Herthan player Mitchell Weiser (73rd). And substitute Tim Heike, a new signing from Halberstadt, scored the acclaimed goal from a tight angle (79th).
Berlin sport
The stadium trembles, the fans sing: “FCE is back.”
The six-time DFB Cup winner wobbles against the fourth division team, but does not fall. After the final whistle, energy coach Pele Wollitz sees a yellow card for complaining. The fans celebrate their Lausitz favorites for their great commitment.
