Leading up to this game I thought a draw would have been a good result. In fact, I would have been delighted with this result if it happened in a different manner.
Spurs' first goal was an own goal from Bremen defender Petri Pasanen in the 12th minute. Gareth Bale delivered a low cross to the streaking Crouch that Pasanen turned in. Crouch would strike 6 minutes later with a header off of a van der Vaart cross.
There's no excuse for not being able to hold a lead after scoring two goals in the first twenty minutes. To make matters worse, Spurs could have easily been up by three or four going into halftime.
However, Bremen forward Hugo Almedia cut the lead in half just before halftime, providing a spark to an otherwise lackluster performance from the home team.
Bremen was able to capitalize off of their new found confidence early in the second half. Within four minutes, Marko Marin drove a low kick in off a miss from Aaron Hunt.
Both teams would have a few scoring opportunities late in the second half that ultimately amounted to nothing. Bremen was content after tying the game, and within the last 15 minutes, Spurs began to play more conservatively to preserve the tie.
Fellow Group A participants Twente and Inter Milan would also play to a 2-2 draw. The draw came as a surprise to an Inter team that was expected to easily win the group.
Had Spurs been able to hold their lead, they would have been able to gain a much needed early points advantage in the group.
As it stands, Spurs fans will have to be content with the draw. The result isn't terrible, but considering they were up 2-0 and Inter drew, it seems like a missed opportunity.
Spurs can hang their hat on the fact that they were only outplayed for about seven minutes of this game. If Werder is their roadblock towards advancement, they have set themselves up pretty well.
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