Der erste Bundesliga Spieltag der Saison 2007/2008

Bundesliga, 09.08.2007
Gomez ruled out

"The team are motivated and want to make a good start", announced Armin Veh with just hours to go to the start of the 45th Bundesliga season at the pre match press conference this afternoon. The trainers good form was not to be dampened by the current personnel situation. Matthieu Delpierre (patellar operation), Yildiray Bastürk (thigh strain) and now also Mario Gomez have all been ruled out of the game. "We want to win the game", declared Veh who was adamant that, despite the quality of his opponents, only three points really count.

No favourites

Veh added that Cacau will be available to start and explained: "All things going according to plan, we will be starting with Cacau and Marica ... maybe even with Ewerton. Due to the number of absentees we are not in the favourite roll, but neither are Schalke." In the opinion of the VfB coach there are two very evenly teams about to clash and two teams who will not crumble if one should leave the pitch as a loser.

"Delighted for my colleagues"

On the subject of receiving the 'Trainer of the Year' award yesterday, Armin Veh commented: "I was absolutely delighted about that. It's an award for the whole team really and an acknowledgement for all involved. Mario was voted ‘Player of the Year' because the whole team was successful. That applies to the trainer too. It's an award for the training staff, doctors and physios. I'm delighted for all my colleagues."

http://vfb.de/en/aktuell/news/2007/11613.php

entarteter Otto wrote:let's hope for a Schalke title win this season

50 years is a long wait and they have the best fans in the world

:ale:

entarteter Otto wrote:let's hope for a Schalke title win this season

50 years is a long wait and they have the best fans in the world

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

entarteter Otto wrote:let's hope for a Schalke title win this season

50 years is a long wait and they have the best fans in the world

That's exactly why they SHOULDN'T win the title this year... So we can all sing: 50 Jahre und kein Meister...

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

Und, zum x-ten Mal: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Schalke und einem Ei...? Na, die Schaaaaaaaaaaaale.

It's kicking off again!

The 45th Bundesliga season starts with a bang when champions VfB Stuttgart entertain runners-up FC Schalke 04 on Friday.

Runners-up Schalke 04 hope for sweet revenge, but despite a few drop-outs German champions VfB Stuttgart are confident ahead of the Bundesliga kick-off.

"I'm not dealing with a defeat. We're all fired up for the curtain-raiser against Schalke and want to win with all our might", VfB Stuttgart head coach Armin Veh said ahead of the Bundesliga opener against FC Schalke 04 on Friday in front of 55,800 fans in Stuttgart's sold-out Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.

Schalke raring to go

But the "Royal Blues", who scored just one goal in their last seven visits to Stuttgart, can hardly wait to get going after their convincing 9-0 win at Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB Cup.

The "Miners" are hoping to end a 50-year wait for the Bundesliga trophy, which will be once again presented to the fans prior to kick-off.

Özil for Lincoln

"Of course we would have liked to hold the trophy in our own hands. But the anger about the missed chance has to be gone now", Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi demanded.

Schalke's most prominent signing Ivan Rakitic isn't expected to make the starting eleven, with Mesut Özil taking the place of departed playmaker Lincoln.

Gomez ruled out

The champions' pre-season preparations have been far ideal. Numerous players were or are still injured, Mexicans Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio joined the squad late, just like new signings Ewerthon and Ciprian Marica.

Yildiray Bastürk (muscle problems) is definitely out, just like German "footballer of the year" Mario Gomez (thigh strain).

Marica debut

And so new signing Marica could be in for his competitive debut for VfB. The 21-year-old Romanian has already shown glimpses of his ability in training and in a friendly match against VfR Aalen.

"Ciprian is a very adjustable striker and a constant trouble spot for the opposing defence", VfB sporting director Horst Held says.

The match will be broadcasted live in 94 countries, while pictures from the match will be seen in 160 countries.


Line-ups as expected:

Stuttgart: Schäfer - Osorio, Tasci, Meira, Boka - Pardo - Hilbert - Khedira, da Silva, Hitzlsperger - Marica.

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Bordon, Kristajic, Pander - Ernst, Kobiashvili - Özil - Asamoah, Kuranyi, Lövenkrands.

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Kyllburg)

entarteter Otto wrote:

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

Und, zum x-ten Mal: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Schalke und einem Ei...? Na, die Schaaaaaaaaaaaale.

DD wrote:I may watch it on ARD. :Ale:

Good luck!

chrissicross wrote:@Wiebke

Please take care of your avatar, I might need it next year...

chrissicross wrote:@Wiebke

Please take care of your avatar, I might need it next year...

Sheffield gunner wrote:

chrissicross wrote:@Wiebke

Please take care of your avatar, I might need it next year...

Are you confident about Werder's chances this season Chrissi?

chrissicross wrote:@Wiebke

Please take care of your avatar, I might need it next year...

entarteter Otto wrote:

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

entarteter Otto wrote:let's hope for a Schalke title win this season

50 years is a long wait and they have the best fans in the world

That's exactly why they SHOULDN'T win the title this year... So we can all sing: 50 Jahre und kein Meister...

die liebe Anna sieht ja so unschuldig aus

und dann DAS

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

Und, zum x-ten Mal: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Schalke und einem Ei...? Na, die Schaaaaaaaaaaaale.

entarteter Otto wrote:

chrissicross wrote:@Wiebke

Please take care of your avatar, I might need it next year...

no you may not

Werder will play in the UEFA Cup next year

to the distress of my father

but even he cannot rid the club of Schaaf and Allofs

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

chrissicross wrote:@Wiebke

Please take care of your avatar, I might need it next year...

Du nimmst den Mund ganz schön voll, mein Lieber.


I was about to retire it, actually, but now, it'll stay up for a little while longer.

chrissicross wrote:Btw, I´m the one with the green-white laser sword, obviously...

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:hate to say it but just cannot see past scum munchen this season. werder will struggle to make top 3 having seen them v Everton. Schalke will finish top 3 imho. just wish hertha would finally do something

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

chrissicross wrote:Btw, I´m the one with the green-white laser sword, obviously...

Are you insinuating I'm using too much hair mousse/hair spray so that my hair looks like a helmet?

chrissicross wrote:

anglophileHedgehog wrote:

chrissicross wrote:Btw, I´m the one with the green-white laser sword, obviously...

Are you insinuating I'm using too much hair mousse/hair spray so that my hair looks like a helmet?

I just thought you might need a helmet, Wiebke. You don´t know how strong the green-white side of the force is...

anglophileHedgehog wrote:The way to the dark side green and white light sabres are, my young chrissicross!

anglophileHedgehog wrote:Btw, where have you left blut?

chrissicross wrote:

anglophileHedgehog wrote:The way to the dark side green and white light sabres are, my young chrissicross!

Ha, lies, Lord Hoeness himself is using a red-white laser sword...

anglophileHedgehog wrote:Btw, where have you left blut?

Don´t know, Wiebke. I haven´t seen him since I left for some time...maybe he`s on holiday, somewhere where it´s warm and sunny and the sea is blue...