While there was a weekend off training for the Werder players who remained in Bremen, many of the Green-Whites were in action all over the world for their international sides. Sambou Yatabaré had a particularly good game for Mali in their World Cup qualifier against the Ivory Coast, putting his country 1-0 up. Although the game finished 3-1 to the Ivorians, the fans cheered on Yatabaré like a hero. The goal in the 18th minute was Yatabaré’s fourth goal in 22 international appearances.
Zlatko Junuzovic, however, had less reason to celebrate, as the Austria national team lost 3-2 to Serbia. The Werder player made way for Alessandro Schöpf in the 63rd minute. Austria coach Marcel Koller had to substitute both Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger due to injury. Both players play for Bayer Leverkusen, Bremen’s next opponent in the league. The Austrians are currently sitting on four points after three World Cup qualifying games in Group D.
It was also an unsuccessful international break for Niklas Moisander, as Finland lost their World Cup qualifier against Croatia 1-0, on Sunday evening. The Finns have just one point from three qualifying games and sit one from bottom in Group I. Moisander completed the full 90 minutes against both Croatia and Iceland.
However, Werder’s U19 internationals Niklas Schmidt and Johannes Eggestein had a better time of it in their 3-2 win over Albania. The U19 side now progress onto the next round of qualification for the European Championships in Georgia next year. Both players started the game, with Schmidt playing the full 90 minutes and Eggestein being substituted in the 79th minute for Hoffenheim’s Dennis Geiger.
Theodor Gebre Selassie was an unused substitute in the Czech Republic’s 3-0 away defeat to World Champions Germany. Fallou Digne also didn’t feature in Senegal’s 2-0 win over Cape Verde.
