Town's first friendly in Austria
- Town play Werder Bremen in Austria- HTAFC play four time Bundesliga champions
- Kick off is at 5pm (UK time) on Tuesday 26 July
David Wagner’s First Team will take on Werder Bremen in Austria as they prepare for the new Sky Bet Championship season.
The Bundesliga side finished thirteenth last season with 38 points from 34 games and boasts a squad that includes ex-Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro and former German international Clemens Fritz.
The opposition
Managed by Club legend Viktor Skrypnyk, Werder Bremen has a very rich history winning the Bundesliga on four occasions, most recently in 2004.
They have also won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1992 and were runners-up in the Europa League final in 2009; being beaten 2-1 in extra-time by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Bremen have had a busy pre-season so far playing four friendlies and winning their opening two, which included a 8-0 win over Neuruppin.
However, most recently they were beaten 2-1 by 2. Bundesliga side 1860 Munich.
Similarly to Town, they will play FC Ingolstadt 04 before they start their Bundesliga season away at Bayern Munich on Friday 26 August.
Werder Bremen players to watch
One player Town should watch out for is veteran striker Claudio Pizarro. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich man is in his third spell at Bremen and has made 85 appearances for Peru.
The 37 year-old forward averaged one goal every two games last season and was a vital part to their team.
Former Germany right back Clemens Fritz also adds a lot of experience to the side. The 35 year-old announced his retirement last season, but had a U-turn and signed a new one year contract.
Midfielders Zlatko Junuzović and Izet Hajrović are Austria Bosnia and Herzegovina internationals respectively and add the creativity into the Bremen First Team.
Werder Bremen Signings
A name that will be well-known to new Town defender Michael Hefele is Justin Eilers.
The two were teammates at Dynamo Dresden and it was Eilers that beat Hefele to the 3. Liga Player of the Season award, with the Town defender finishing third.
Skrypnyk has also added more internationals to his squad. Set piece specialist Florian Kainz has joined from Rapid Wein while Fallou Diagne made his Senegal debut this summer after signing for Werder Bremen from Rennes.
So far this summer the German side have made seven new signings; four on free transfers; including Greek midfielder Thanos Petsos.
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