Hamburg battle to away win

Hamburg celebrate Trochowski's goal

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• Hamburger SV
• Werder Bremen

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Hamburg took charge of their all-German Uefa Cup semi-final against Werder Bremen with a 1-0 win at the Weserstadion.

Piotr Trochowski grabbed the only goal of a fiercely competitive clash and Hamburg will be confident of finishing the job at home next week.

Martin Jol's men almost took the lead inside two minutes when Ivica Olic latched onto a pass from Jonathan Pitroipa only to see his shot smartly saved by the onrushing Tim Wiese.

Conquerors of Manchester City in the quarter-finals, Hamburg are 15 points ahead of Bremen in the Bundesliga and they continued to set the pace in an entertaining first half.

Hamburg were rewarded in the 28th minute as Trochowski provided the finishing touch to a flowing attack, powerfully heading home Guy Demel's cleverly flighted right-wing cross.

Bremen had rarely threatened until that point, apart from a long-range Diego strike that was fumbled by Frank Rost, but they responded strongly to going behind.

Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro, on loan from Chelsea, came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when he rose unmarked in the box but could only direct his header wide.

The second period got underway with smoke billowing across the pitch from a flare in the crowd, but referee Howard Webb decided the conditions were suitable to continue.

Bremen kept pressing forward in pursuit of a leveller and Diego was having a growing influence on proceedings with a succession of neat touches in midfield.

Sebastian Boenisch crashed a swerving shot narrowly wide from 25 yards as Hamburg defended resolutely and largely restricted their opponents to ambitious efforts.

The lively Olic was a constant threat on the break and the Croatian nearly made it 2-0 after cutting in from the left and testing Wiese with a firm strike from a tight angle.

Hamburg began to retreat further and further back in the closing stages with Bremen continuing to apply pressure, but Pizarro blazed a shot over and Naldo hit one wide from distance as the visitors clung on to their advantage.