SV WERDER BREMEN (Weserstadion)

BUNDESLIGA, SV WERDER BREMEN 0-0 SC FREIBURG, ATTENDANCE: 40,423

My friend and I annual autumn jaunt into was slightly curtailed this year as the Champions League was not particularly kind, so it was a three day, three game trip across two countries. Not as extensive as last season's France/Romania/Germany but just as enjoyable.

The weekend started with a £15 Ryanair flight to Bremen, landing just after 9.00am in the morning. A tram took us to the main station where there was a hive of activity as workers cleaned up the debris from the first night of the Bremen Beer Festival. I was completely unaware of this but my mate said oh yeah forgot to tell you about that....

The Bremen Festival is the Cities answer to Munich's Oktoberfest and combines beer and fairground rides, surely a dubious combination? The most thrilling ride appeared to be Olympic Ride, which was basically a loop-the-loop through the 5 Olympic rings. I thought to myself I must have a go on that later!

We met up with a pal from Hamburg and his friend and the pre-match supping began. It would have been rude not to get on the Beck's seeing as Bremen is where it originates.

The talk in the bar surrounding the ghost goal that Leverkeusen 'scored' against Hoffenheim when the ball was headed wide but went through a hole in the side netting and bounced out of the goal. The referee awarded a goal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQZmRqxnH6M

At least that provided a taking point, which was more than can be said for the game we saw.

Bremen and Frieburg played out a drab 0-0 draw, which was the first of the Bundesliga season, the closest to a goal was when Bremen's Luca Caldirola hit the post. There's not really much more to add.

Bremen's last major success was in 2004, when the completed a league and cup double, though they did reach the UEFA Cup Final in 2009, and on this evidence it might be while yet before success returns.

The Weserstadion is located on the banks of the River Weser and despite redevelopment the ground was not chosen as a venue for the 2006 World Cup.

Once the game was over, it was a few more beers and a taxi ride back to the fair. We had to go and check into the hotel first and I took the chance to lay down for a quick power nap. There endeth my night and I never got the chance for any fairground thrills!