Schaaf determined to seize his day

With Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf's 48th birthday falling on the day his side take on rivals Hamburger SV in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final at the Weserstadion, there are no prizes for guessing how he would like to celebrate.

'Big emotions'
Having already won their German Cup semi-final against HSV last week, the first of four meetings between the two teams in the space of 19 days, the intention is to carry that momentum on to the European stage. "My wish is that we play well, control the match and that the supporters get behind us," Schaaf said ahead of the seventh all-German semi-final in the competition. "I hope we can keep up the good run we've had in the UEFA Cup. It's an all-German semi-final which means big emotions for the supporters. Both teams know how important this derby match is."

Tenth anniversary
Though the skies over Bremen were grey on the eve of the match, the mood in both camps was bright as the northern cities count down the minutes to the second instalment of this four-part drama which concludes three days after the second leg in the Bundesliga. For Schaaf the significant dates are coming thick and fast. He celebrates his tenth anniversary as Bremen coach on 9 May and what better way to mark the occasion than by taking Bremen to the final in Istanbul against either FC Dynamo Kyiv or FC Shakhtar Donetsk. "That would be great, but being here ten years doesn't matter, what's important is to get this team to the final," he said. "To do that we have to work very hard and play well in both games."

Morale high
Bremen have lost at this stage three times before and the tie represents the chance to salvage a disappointing season. Mid-table in the Bundesliga, their German Cup win on penalties over Hamburg raised morale which was further boosted by a 3-2 victory over VfL Bochum 1848 on Saturday. Hamburg have been enjoying a terrific season in the league and are only three points off the summit. Their cup exit, however, was followed by defeat at BV Borussia Dortmund and coach Martin Jol knows his side must quickly regain momentum.

Good teams
"We're happy to be in the semi-final," he said. "It's very good for the club and the players want to get to the final, but we haven't won anything yet. It's normally an advantage if you play your first game away, but we have to see if it turns out to be better for us. I think the chances are 50-50. They are both good teams and both have a good chance to advance."

Barren run
Jol will be without injured striker Mladen Petrić and defender Marcell Jansen, but welcomes back Alex Silva. Bremen are missing defender Petri Pasanen though midfielder Frank Baumann is expected to be fit. Hamburg, beaten finalists in 1982, have not got this far in European competition since winning the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1983, a barren run Jol is determined to end. As for Schaaf's birthday, the Dutchman insisted his generosity would not be stretched too far. "What do you want to hear, that I'm going to give him a trip Istanbul?" The joking ends on Thursday.