Early Blow to Bayern as Bremen Win League Cup

Croatian international Ivan Klasnic scored both goals with a lethal finish on 29 minutes and a blistering 66th-minute free-kick from 25 yards.

The win made it third time lucky for Bremen who lost two League Cup finals against Bayern in 1999 and 2004.

"It is nice to get a trophy in early on," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf. "We are on course for the season start next Sunday and improving with each game."

"Scoring first helped us and I was particularly pleased that we did not take our foot off the gas."

Bayern, League and Cup winners last season, wanted to put down an early marker ahead of the Bundesliga curtain-raiser against Borussia Dortmund next Friday but were outclassed by Bremen.

"We were the better team tonight. We combined well and it could have been more had we taken all our chances," said Bremen captain Torsten Frings.

Early Poldi goal ruled out

Schaaf's side, runners-up to Bayern in the league last season, were fortunate to escape going behind after Lukas Podolski had a goal ruled out for offside in the 22nd minute, but there was nothing fortunate about their opening goal.

German international Miroslav Klose, winner of the World Cup golden boot, showed quick feet to evade Willy Sagnol before cutting a perfect pass back to Klasnic who blasted a first-time shot into the right corner.

Bayern coach Felix Magath pulled off German international trio Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm at half-time, saying they were still feeling the effects of playing at this summer's World Cup.

"I knew we would have problems after the World Cup but it is something we need to cope with," admitted Magath. "Bremen were on the ball tonight and showed why they are one of the favourites for the league title along with us."

Klasnic double sinks Munich

The treble substitution failed to inspire the double winners and Klasnic scored his second in the 66th minute, hammering a low free-kick through a crumbling Bayern wall.

Bremen now go into their first match against Hanover on Sunday full of confidence while Bayern must raise morale for Friday's match-up with Dortmund.