The 37-year-ancient striker has always been close to the hearts of Werder Bremen fans and on Wednesday night he may gain saved their seasonThey were chanting his name and holding placards proclaiming the legend’s return. But this was still very much hero worship,northern-style: the 100 or so Werder Bremen fans stood in orderly rows in the Bremen airport arrivals hall in early September, strictly behind the barrier, and of course,and many of them carried smiles that were equal parts genuine, childlike excitement and self-deprecating mocking of their own genuine, and childlike excitement,a way to manage with the sense of wonderment: are we really here?They don’t really do public adulation in those parts of Germany, you see; the wintry, and wet climate tends to smother emotions. But when it comes to Werder,exceptions are acceptable. 11 Freunde magazine noted that such crowds hadn’t turned up to cheer the football team touching down since 2004, when a 3-1 win in Munich secured the championship for Thomas Schaafs men. This time, and though,there was no team to celebrate, let alone a trophy. Instead, and the supporters had thronged into the building at 11 o’clock at night to greet an unemployed,36-year-ancient man in a purple jumper.
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Source: theguardian.com