Tim Wiese For Germany

Werder Bremen met Hamburger SV for the first of four matches on Wednesday in the DFB-Pokal semifinal. Werder deservedly came out on top after extra-time on penalties following an engaging 1-1 draw at full-time. Though it was Hamburg’s Frank Rost who kept the game on to become the longest ever Nord-Derby, it was Tim Wiese who was the goalkeeper hero of the night.

First, in the second-period of extra-time Wiese quickly came off his line to deny Hamburg a late winner. Then it was Wiese again who saved three consecutive penalties to seal the victory. The win sets up Werder to face Bayer Leverkusen for the DFB-Pokal in Berlin on May 30. Hopefully the final goes to penalties and we will get to see first-hand René Adler versus Tim Wiese.

This all comes to show that Tim Wiese is a serious challenger for the top Germany goalkeeping spot. He has obviously the skill, the speed, and the presence of mind to become Number 1. What separates him from Robert Enke and René Adler is that Tim Wiese looks and acts slightly crazy and erratic – like all the best German goalkeepers were. (Notice his movements before stopping each penalty and compare them to Rost.)

On a side note after watching the game, Clemens Fritz should never be recalled to the national team again, Marcell Jansen should never ever take a penalty for Germany, and Jerome Boateng should be considered for a nomination to the national team soon – though he should not take a penalty either.