Their cup overflows

Bayern Munich won the German Cup for the 15th time on Saturday, defeating Werder Bremen 4-0 in the final in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Goals from Arjen Robben, Ivica Olic, Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger allowed the Bavarians to claim the second leg of a potential Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble.

Although Bayern were not at their free-flowing best, clinical second-half finishing from Louis van Gaal's side saw them ease to a comfortable victory. Bremen, returning to Berlin to defend the cup they won a year ago, had few answers to their opponents' dominance, and the dismissal of their captain Torsten Frings was symptomatic of their frustration in the closing stages.

"The result was clearer than the game actually was. We went 2-0 [ahead] at the perfect time," Bayern defender Philipp Lahm said after the game. "We really want to get the treble."

"I think it was one of the best games that we played this season, " said van Gaal. "I told my players that it was important to win, but also how we won."

A full-strength Bayern team took the initiative from the opening minutes, and never let go of it. Despite coach Thomas Schaaf's clear instructions for his Bremen players to double up on in-form Arjen Robben, the winger was at the heart of his side's best work in the first half. Tim Wiese in the Bremen goal was called on as early as the third minute, tipping a long-range Robben effort over the bar. The Dutchman then found himself on the left, playing in Ivica Olic, who failed to find the net from not more than five yards.

Olic was heavily involved in the opening goal though. The Croatian striker's flick hit the hand of Per Mertesacker just inside the penalty and, although the big German defender could have known little about it from such close range, the referee pointed to the spot. Wiese guessed the right way, but Robben's penalty was hit hard and low and found the corner, to give Bayern a 35th-minute lead.

The floodgates open

Mertesacker was unlucky again for the second goal shortly after half-time. His attempt to head clear deflected into the path of Olic, who poked home a classic predator's finish. With Bremen pushing up to try and get something back, Ribery put the game to bed in the 63rd minute. The Frenchman was played through by Mark van Bommel and finished coolly, before sliding on the wet turf by the corner flag in memorable celebration.

Former Bayern midfielder Frings was shown a second yellow with 15 minutes to go, catching Bastian Schweinsteiger late as Bayern played keep-ball in the closing stages, and barely waiting to see the referee produce the red before he left the pitch. Schweinsteiger relinquished himself from a disciplined midfield role in the final minutes, taking Philipp Lahm's lofted ball on the chest and volleying inside the far corner of the net for Bayern's fourth.

"The first half was great, in the second, we scored the goals," said Bayern striker Thomas Mueller. "Such a result is like a dream."

Closer to the treble

The scoreline was harsh on Werder Bremen, who came into the game on the back of some fine late-season Bundesliga form. They could have taken the lead inside the first ten minutes, Joerg Butt in the Bayern goal making an excellent double-save after Claudio Pizarro got in. Pizarro was too often isolated up front though, Mesut Oezil and Aaron Hunt failing to get the cup holders' passing game going in very wet conditions in Berlin. "Bayern dominated the game and I can only congratulate them," admitted Bremen coach Schaaf.

Bayern must wish they could play at the Olympic Stadium every day. On two consecutive Saturdays, captain van Bommel has now lifted domestic silverware in the capital. Bayern wrapped up the domestic title with a 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin last weekend, and, with the DFB-Pokal now secured, travel to Madrid next weekend knowing that victory over Internazionale would see them complete an unprecedented treble.

With seemingly no instructions to take it easy before next week's game, Bayern players celebrated hard after the final whistle. "If we win something, we must celebrate," said van Gaal. "On Wednesday I will start with preparation for Inter Milan."

tms/dpa/SID
Editor: Stephanie Siek