The UEFA Cup final between
Schachtjor Donezk and
Werder Bremen will be played this year at the “Şükrü-Saracoğlu-Stadion” in Istanbul (Wednesday, 20.5.2009, 8:45 pm CET). Donezk are for the first time in the final of a European club competition, while Werder Bremen won in 1992 the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Bremen reached also three times the UEFA Cup semi-finals (1988, 1990, 2007).
Road to final: Schachtjor Donezk finished third in their UEFA Champions League Group C to reach the UEFA Cup Round of 32, where they beat Tottenham Hotspur (2:0, 1:1). In the Round of 16 the Ukrainian champion eliminated CSKA Moskva (0:1, 2:0). In the quarter-finals Schachtjor Donezk beat the French top club Olympique Marseille with two wins (2:0 in Donezk and 2:1 in Marseille). Very exciting was the semi-final against all time Ukraine rival Dynamo Kiev. Donezk beat Kiev at home with 2:1, after a 1:1 in first leg.
Werder Bremen advanced to the Round of 32 by finishing third in their UEFA Champions League Group B. In the first Knockout round they eliminate AC Milan on away goals (1:1 at home and 2:2 at San Siro). Then Werder Bremen won 1:0 at home and drew 2:2 away against AS Saint-Etienne to qualify for the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, where they beat Udinese Calcio (3:1 at home and 3:3 away). In semi-final Bremen beat Hamburger SV on away goals (0:1 at home, 3:2 in Hamburg).
Injured/Suspended:
Donezk: Tomás Hübschman (suspended)
Bremen: Diego, Hugo Almeida (both suspended), Per Mertesacker, Daniel Jensen (both injured)
Data:
Schachtjor Donezk vs. Werder Bremen
Fixture: Wednesday, 20.5.2009, 8:45 pm CET
Stadium: Istanbul, Şükrü-Saracoğlu-Stadium
Tip: Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf must renounce key player Diego. This could be a big advantage for Donezk. However, I still think that the UEFA Cup final will be decided after extra time or penalty shoot-out and bet on a draw after regular time.
our tip is X
the highest odd is on Bet365, odd 3.40
