Bremen make winning start

An 83rd-minute goal by substitute striker Nelson Valdez gave the champions SV Werder Bremen a 1-0 home victory against FC Schalke 04 in Friday's opening Bundesliga game of the season, which was delayed by a power shortage.

Cable problem
The match started over an hour late because of a cable problem caused by building works near the (stadium name). German public television channel ARD, which was broadcasting the game live, showed a music programme to keep a sell-out crowd of 42,000 amused while waiting for the match to start. Schalke, who have purchased two Werder players in Brazilian striker Ailton, last season's leading Bundesliga scorer with 28 goals, and defender Mladen Krstajic, showed slightly more initiative but were rarely dangerous.

'Good start'
Germany striker Miroslav Klose, replacing Ailton at Bremen, struggled to make an impact and made way for Paraguayan Valdez in the 74th minute. "We knew that we had several good strikers and could rely on Nelson Valdez," said Werder coach Thomas Schaaf. Schalke coach Jupp Heynckes, whose team remain in contention for a UEFA Cup spot through the UEFA Intertoto Cup, did not sound too disappointed. "It was a good start given the conditions," he said.