An overtime game-winner from Brazilian midfielder Jadson proved to be the difference in the last UEFA Cup final to ever be played as Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Werder Bremen, 2-1, on Wednesday in the last final before the tournament becomes the Europa League.
A stunning long-distance free kick from Naldo looked to give Bremen a chance at the victory, but that would be the German club's only goal as Jadson closed things out in overtime with a close-range finish.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the final? Happy for Donetsk? Disappointed for Bremen? Unhappy that Nery Castillo takes home a winner's medal? Happy that Torsten "Handball" Frings gets to suffer the defeat?
Share your thoughts below.
As much as I like Bremen, I guess it’s time for either Schaaf to go, or to inject some massive new blood into the team. He’s made a lot of blunders this year, which seems to indicate that he’s tired. Being completely dependent on Diego is of course, number one. Being completely dependent on the diamond formation being number two. In the past they were able to switch from the diamond to a flat 4 without problems. Now, they just look out of sorts. The thing about Diego is, because of his size and style, the diamond is probably the best way to use him. I’m curious as to Juventus plan on using him.
Shakhtar Donetsk deserved it. Their proved their skills !
Cheesy video.
A couple of Brazilians, so what? Actually, teams in Ukrainian league have very few foreigners compared to many other European leagues. The league even has rules about how many foreigners a team can have on the field.
Elmatador, I think it was Brazil 2 – Brazil 1. I think Brazil would have had a better shot if the Brazilian from Brazil wasn’t suspended for the final.
These Russian and Ukranian teams tend to do well in the UEFA Cup if they can make it past the first knockout round, when they are in preseason. Once they get into their regular season they are very tough. It’s interesting that Setanta now shows a Russian Premier League game every weekend. The money in that part of the world has made the Russian and Ukranian leagues competitive with all the second tier European leagues.
I think European football is getting a bit, let’s say… non European.
So a Ukrainian team wins the UEFA Cup with 5 Brazilians and a Croation in the starting 11. And this is hailed as a triumph for Ukrainian football.
Reminds me of when Arsenal played Real Madrid and had zero English players in the starting 11 while Madrid had 2.
It’s time to back the 6+5 rule.
Got to love the NIT *yawn*
Brazil 2 – Werder Bremen 1
Bit saddened but not terribly surprised after this season. Will grant that Shakhtar out played us. They played some beautiful football and Bremen, oddly like TFC (my wife for life, Bremen being my first love) couldnt finish their chances.
I read a quote from Schaaf that there isnt a player on the team that could replace Diego. No sh*t sherlock. We never got over the loss of that traitorous bastard Klose.
Next year will be about rebuilding (which this season was sorta supposed to be but never panned out, alot of flops in recent signings, sigh).
Now theres also rumors about Schaaf going to Wolfsburg, i hope that if he leaves its outside of Germany as he is basically a one club man and it would be sad to see him sell his soul to the likes of those newbies (granted id take them over Scheisse Bayern Munchen or godforbid HSV).
Still i think hes got another 5 years in him and as mentioned previously this is the first time in about a decade that we’ve had such a run. The DFB Pokal will be something, not much but something and i think we can do it.
One of the most incredible games of the year. Bremen gave it a good go, but Shaktar, without question, deserved to win.
So is the Ukrainian league going to continue to rise or will it peak and kinda level off after the banner year?
I was rooting for Bremen, and I actually like Frings (“handball” still made me laugh though), but well played by Donetsk. Donetsk clearly deserved it and aside from some slow play in the second half, the game was fun to follow from my cubicle.
Boo Frings! BOO!
I was curious about Castillo, I saw him in the line up for medals. Is he ever going to play club football again?