Klasnic returns after 10-month lay-off

AFP - 30 October 2007 22:21

Croatian international Ivan Klasnic, pictured in 2006, completed his return to football following two kidney transplants as Werder Bremen´s reserve side qualified for the third round of the German Cup on Tuesday.

BERLIN (AFP) - Croatian international Ivan Klasnic completed his return to football following two kidney transplants as Werder Bremen's reserve side qualified for the third round of the German Cup on Tuesday.

Werder Bremen II moved into the next round with a 4-2 penalty kicks win over Sankt Pauli, after the match ended 2-2 following extra time, the club where Klasnic began his professional career.

"I'm in good shape, I want to play as much as possible to get back to playing in the first team as quick as I can," said the 27-year-old Klasnic, who last played in December 2006.

Hertha Berlin were the biggest victims of the night, falling 2-0 away to Wuppertal, while another first division side, Schalke 04, had to endure extra time before beating Hanover 2-0.

Klasnic played 67 minutes of Werder II's match, proividing the pass for their second goal before coming off to applause.

The Croat showed his scoring boots last week in a friendly which Werder's reserve side won 9-0 against the amateurs of Wusting-Altmoorhaen.

Klasnic underwent a first transplant at the end of January, which failed. Since March he has been living with a kidney donated by his father, and he was able to return to training in September.