W. Bremen eye cup to salvage season

Werder Bremen take on Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup final today, their last chance to salvage a European spot from an otherwise hapless season.

The pre-season Bundesliga favourites, who ended up in 10th place after showing only occasional sparks of their brilliance, also missed out on European glory after losing in the UEFA Cup final to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk last week.

With playmaker Diego joining Juventus at the end of the season, Werder are asking the Brazilian to put in one final breathtaking performance to win the cup.

The mercurial Diego has sparkled when it really mattered, at times almost single-handedly guiding his team further in the competitions.

His suspension from the final against Shakhtar was crucial, leaving them with no creative play in midfield and no trophy.

"This (German Cup) match is the most important one, not only during my time at Werder but the most important one of my life," Diego said.

"I am happy to be able to give something back to Werder for all their devotion. I am fully motivated for this."

Coach Thomas Schaaf, rumoured to be on his way out at the end of the season after 10 years, will have captain Frank Baumann and Sebastian Boenisch back in the squad as he bids to bring back the cup after their last triumph in 2004.

Leverkusen coach Bruno Labbadia had also hoped for a better season after sitting fifth half-way through. But his young team's second-round collapse, including eight defeats, saw them crash out of the European spots, finishing a disappointing ninth.

His job is now on the line and defeat in the final could seal his fate with club officials having dubbed the season so far "unsatisfactory".

Leverkusen can play stunning, fast-paced football when two of the league's most dangerous strikers, Stefan Kiessling and Patrick Helmes, are in top form and Brazilian midfielder Renato Augusto orchestrates the attacks.

However, they failed to replicate the form they displayed in their sensational 4-2 German Cup quarter-final win over Bayern Munich, requiring extra time to oust Mainz 05 4-1 in the last four.

Captain Simon Rolfes is fully fit to play in their third final appearance and Labbadia can only hope his strikers will be in the mood for goals to win their first German Cup since 1993.