At 88 years old, legendary manager Otto Rehhagel made a celebrated return to the Werder Bremen bench to co-coach a club legend squad against Real Madrid veterans for the Weserstadion’s 100th-anniversary celebration. The fixture on Saturday at the historic stadium delivered a dramatic 4-3 victory for the hosts, a nostalgic reunion of iconic figures, and a playful nod to a bizarre piece of German football history.
A Historic Return to the Weserstadion Bench
Otto Rehhagel stepped back onto the technical area alongside former player and manager Thomas Schaaf to lead Werder Bremen’s icons. Rehhagel previously managed Bremen in 1976 and during a hugely successful tenure from 1981 to 1995, capturing two Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, and the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Reflecting on the milestone, Thomas Schaaf noted via Sky Sport, “We are all happy that Otto is here. He wrote history here. He shaped us, won titles, and developed something extraordinary.” Schaaf added lightheartedly, “We would all be glad if we were this fit at 88 years old and still radiated such enthusiasm like Otto.” Werder sporting director Clemens Fritz echoed those sentiments, telling Sky Sport, “It is simply nice to see him.”
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Star-Studded Squads and a Seven-Goal Thriller
The anniversary matchup drew massive crowds and a glittering array of former stars to Bremen. Werder’s roster featured fan favorites such as Ailton, Diego, Per Mertesacker, Torsten Frings, Ivan Klasnic, Andreas Reinke, and Naldo. Opposing them were Real Madrid altstars featuring high-profile names like Portugal’s Pepe, France’s Claude Makélélé, and Argentina’s Esteban Cambiasso. When the dust settled on the pitch, Werder Bremen edged out a narrow 4-3 win over the Spanish visitors, blending competitive spirit with exhibition flair.
The Surprising Homage Behind the Hydration Break
While the scoreline entertained the supporters, the match’s most talked-about sequence arrived in the 32nd minute. Bundesliga referee Sven Jablonski whistled for a hydration break, but instead of water or standard sports drinks, waiters marched onto the turf carrying trays of beer and Malteser schnapps. The unusual refreshment was a direct homage to one of the most bizarre incidents in German football lore. On November 8, 1975, during a match between Werder Bremen and Hannover 96, inexperienced referee Wolf-Dieter Ahlenfelder famously misjudged the time and blew for halftime after just 32 minutes. Ahlenfelder later admitted to having a beer and a Malteser schnapps during his lunch break, dryly remarking years later, “A beer and a Malteser for lunch, surely that’s allowed.” Brazilian striker Ailton visibly relished the recreated historical pause as players and fans alike toasted the stadium’s centenary.
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