Werder Bremen’s merry custom of wearing a special Christmas tree badge continued in their DFB Pokal win over rivals Hannover 96 on Wednesday night.
Each year since 2002-03 (with the noted exception of 2017-18), Werder have swapped the diamond outline of their club crest, for a Christmas tree shaped badge to mark the occasion of their last game before the festive break.
The seasonal shirts have been a lucky charm over the years, with Die Grün-Weißen now having won 9, drawn 6, and lost just 3 of the 18 games they’ve played whilst wearing the badge.
It must be said that 17 of those matches took place at Werder’s Weserstadion, so fans will be particularly pleased with Wednesday night’s 3-0 win in the back garden of rivals Hannover 96.
Incidently, this was also the first time they had worn the badge in a German cup game.
The kits may look wintry enough, with the cool white and spearmint colours really lending themselves to the Yuletide theme, but these are an adaptation of Umbro’s away strip for the 2020-21 season.
Interestingly, Werder ‘keeper Jiří Pavlenka’s kit carried their standard rhombus badge, though we’re sure he wouldn’t have cared too much given the clean sheet.
Miserly grumbling grinches may see Werder’s Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree) tradition as just another cynical 21st century stab at the seasonal football shirt market, but Umbro will not be selling replica versions and the match-worn jerseys will be auctioned for charity.
The silhouette of the Christmas tree, along with the golden star and year details, are nice little decorative touches from Werder Bremen and we’d love to see more clubs raise a smile with festive flourishes like this.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sartorial Soccer 