BREMEN (Germany), October 4 – Werder Bremen breezed into the second round of the UEFA Cup by thrashing Metalurh Donetsk of Ukraine 8-0 on Thursday, paced by two terrific goals by French midfielder Johan Micoud.
Tim Borowski and Ivan Klasnic also scored two goals apiece as the German team, second in the Bundesliga, advanced 10-2 on aggregate. It was Bremen’s record victory in a European competition.
Frank Verlaat put Bremen ahead by knocking the ball into the net with his at the far post after a corner in the 14th minute. Micoud made it 2-0 with a superb chip over goalkeeper Yury Virt in the 43rd. With time running out in the first half, Borowski connected with another corner kick to beat Virt with a powerful header. Less than a minute into the second half, Micoud launched Brazilian striker Ailton with a long, accurate pass that sailed over 30 meters (yards). Ailton raced to the line and then sent back a cross that Micoud slammed under the bar. Greek striker Angelos Charisteas raised the score in the 51st, before being substituted by Klasnic, who made it 6-0 in the 66th. Borowski scored his second with another chip in 78th as the Ukrainian team fell apart and Klasnic completed the rout in injury time.
