Shows
River Island WrapThe Optimism of Low Expectations: Bayern München MD 22 Postmatch WrapThe bullies from Bavaria put 3 past Bremen and the Green-Whites failed to score for the 7th time in their previous 9 matches as the winless streak for the club Clem built hits 12.
The guys discuss what they saw in the match, what they thought of the lineup changes, and whether they are more optimistic about the future.
Next they take a look at fan reaction from around the internet and at the stadium.
Finally, they look forward to the next crucial stretch of games against fellow relegation candidates.
A kicktipp update, belated at...
2026-02-1850 minRiver Island WrapCross, Cross, Another Loss: Freiburg Postmatch WrapNot even a man advantage for most of the second half could prevent Matchday 21 from ending with more of the same for the Green-Whites. New Cheftrainer Daniel Thioune begins his tenure on the Weser with a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Freiburg.
Is there any point in Ups and Downs when the Ups are so few and far between?
The guys turn their attention to looking forward and trying to think about positive action. What changes might we see now that Thioune has a full week to prepare his squad for his home debut ve...
2026-02-1154 min
River Island WrapRequiem For A Horst: Hoffenheim and Gladbach Postmatch WrapThe Horst Steffen Era is over after barely more than half a season.
The guys get all up in their feelings as they mourn the loss of perhaps Germany's most handsome manager. They ask whether the adverse employment actions should progress further up the management chain.
A banner on Saturday and a petition with over 3000 signatures are both evidence supporters in Bremen aren't letting Clemens Fritz off the hook so easily.
The search for a new manager begins with an interim partnership, and a couple of Danes named Bo on the shortlist.
...
2026-02-0350 minRiver Island WrapHorst Hot Seat? B04 Postmatch Wrap7 matches without a win and the frustration mounts among Werder Bremen enthusiasts.
Jim and Christian discuss what they liked about the match, and agree it doesn't matter if the goals don't come.
Where is this team and how did they get here? Can you really call something a crisis when you just need to be 3 points better than Mainz for the next 15 matches?
Jim and Christian give Horst the dreaded vote of confidence and Christian makes the case the fish rots from a higher up than Horst. Jim goes into a fugue state and...
2026-01-2756 minRiver Island WrapEnglische Woche: Dortmund and Frankfurt Postmatch WrapIt's out. Enjoy. Maybe I'll write a preview tomorrow.
2026-01-201h 07River Island WrapWinter Pause SpectacularEndlich sind wir da!
A star-studded round table, including King Iain, Christian, and the podcast return of Gene Parmesan to discuss what we loved and didn't love about the first half, and a look ahead to our expectations for the second half.
Plus, kicktipp results, a midori based cocktail, and some on-brand nonsense.
It's finally out, Gott sei dank!
Enjoy!
2026-01-071h 50River Island Wrap1 > 0: Augsburg Postmatch WrapBremen visit the house that giant matchsticks built on the last stop of the bus from the center of Augsburg and leave with a scoreless draw. No one is happy, but it's a start.
After the last game before the premature Winterpause, Jim and Christian discuss the match, what it tells them about Horst, and what it means going into the break. Should football managers shop where the teens shop, or will people talk? Are fake Roman touches at a stadium built during the lifetime of Romano Schmid intimidating, inspiring, or just lame? And why was Romano s...
2025-12-231h 06River Island WrapNo Cure For Lonliness: VfB Stuttgart Postmatch WrapOn the last home match before Christmas, when the Werder crest becomes a tannenbaum, the club raises awareness about old-age lonliness, and the the men on the field make us feel empty inside.
Jim and Christian do what they can to avoid talking about the game, but it can't be helped.
Is Horst in trouble, is the team in crisis, why does everything look so broken all of a sudden?
Nobody is panicking in these parts, but the slump we all knew was coming is here. It's time to see how Horst handles the...
2025-12-1659 minRiver Island WrapWelcome To Failureville: HSV Postmatch WrapBremen blow a first half lead and drop the first Nordderby with all the fixings since 2017. Jim's Bears blow an NFL Derby for first place in the division. Jim also fails at podcast producing. Failure all around.
Jim and Christian discuss the game, and it seems like Positive Christian may have had passport issues when trying to leave Mexico. Christian sets us straight on why Champions League is not a realistic option, and why magical nights in Conference League locales might be the best thing for Werder. Plus, is it time for Horst to stop trying to m...
2025-12-0957 minRiver Island WrapEl Mala-ncholy: Köln Postmatch WrapBremen see their home win streak snapped in added time and enter Nordderby Week with a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln.
Christian reveals how he made it back alive and whether Mexico has anything as Bundesliga friendly as a Colombian Hooters, while Jim gets back to his tale of making friends in the airport and why a corkscrew dildo was a crucial component.
Most importantly, they preview the Nordderby and Christian lays out a bunch of great reasons to hate HSV. A couple quick would-you-rathers are tossed about, including one with a belt sander, and...
2025-12-021h 19River Island WrapPigeons on the Pitch: RasenBallsport Leipzig Postmatch WrapChristian is in Mexico, Jim is in Las Vegas, pigeons are on the pitch, and the moments of brilliance are in Ole's favor when Bremen take on the "club" sponsored by a Swiss marketing concern.
A delayed Wrap explains itself, runs afoul of the cartels, can't hedge its bets, and lets listeners behind the curtain on whaaaa happened during attempts to produce this episode.
Also, nuggets on his time at Bremen from a long-form interview Ole Werner did with the german podcast Phrasen Mäher (which Jim misnames multiple times - Macher, Mächer, Maher).
2025-11-2733 minRiver Island WrapDer SensenHorst: Wolfsburg Postmatch WrapHorst and Werder send another Bundesliga manager to the Jobcenter line after a thrilling late rally under the Friday night floodlights at the Weserstadion.
Jim and Christian discuss the victory, including appreciation for Jens Stage and Yuki Sugawara, a rundown of Keke Topp's touches in his first start of the season, and what they thought of the changes to Horst's starting eleven.
Jim addresses his previous comments about pyrotechnics and the gents discuss fan culture more broadly, including proposals from German authorities and how fan groups are pushing back.
Then it's time for mor...
2025-11-111h 04River Island WrapBig Stage in Karneval City : Mainz05 Postmatch WrapWerder travel to the southernmost of the traditional Karneval cities for a clash with Mainz 05 and need a moment of brilliance from Jens Stage to escape with a draw.
Jim and Christian discuss the match, including Horst's smooth subs, problems in the final third, more top play from the back, Topp finding his way back to the pitch, and the latest shoutout to HSV from the guest bloc.
Bremen executives make a trip to address a prominent Bremen fan club and the gents weigh in on what they heard and ask whether last minute transfers a...
2025-11-041h 04River Island WrapFriday Night LED Floodlights: Union Berlin Postmatch WrapWerder Bremen took on Union Berlin under the brand new floodlights at the Weserstadion in the Matchday 8 lid lifter Friday night.
Jim and Christian recap the match, discuss exactly how Horsty they are, and celebrate the opposition support before getting into the good and bad of the match.
They also return to the question of rivalry in football, especially with scheisse HSV, Big Vic's debut, and whether Stephen Baumgart might be a secret Taylor Swift ex.
Then the internet gets its revenge and tries to silence the best and worst English language analysis of W...
2025-10-2854 minRiver Island WrapSwabian Sister Smooch: Heidenheim Postmatch WrapAfter sleepwalking through most of the first half, Bremen squander two second half leads and leave Heidenheim with a disappointing draw.
After catching up on what they did during the international break, Jim and Christian discuss the match, including ups and negatives, players playing out of position, and paternity leave.
The Frauen Nordderby is the impetus for a discussion about when it's ok to celebrate against your old team, and whether the children need protecting from derby shennanigans.
Clemens Fritz is talking to reporters again, and that can't be good for anyone.
S...
2025-10-211h 06River Island WrapThe Friendly Side of Hamburg: St. Pauli Postmatch Wrap After a rousing start, Bremen adjust their setup slightly and hold on for a 1-0 victory against the Hamburg neighbor you can respect.
Jim and Christian discuss their respective days out to watch football with two different sets of St. Pauli supporters, how a Covic sighting might have created a football house-divided in Toronto, Jens Stage's 100th appearance with the Green Whites, fan reaction from Germany, and other assorted quatsch.
Touchline fashion, professional suplexes, and Naby Keita comparisons all get the treatment on this week's wrap.
2025-10-071h 03River Island WrapBavari-ugh: Bayern München Postmatch WrapBremen travel to Bavaria for their annual football enema and things go exactly as expected.
Horst stays away from the lederhosen, but both style and substance belong to the hosts.
Jim and Christian look for the positives in the aftermath of a moneybomb exploding all over the Green Whites.
Then they turn to Big Vic and his socials for some expected comic relief that turns into a lesson on Nigeria/Ghana relations.
A rough wrap, maybe problematic, never afraid.
2025-09-3057 minRiver Island WrapThink Of The Children:Freiburg Postmatch WrapOn World Children's Day, Horst sports a sweet shirt, but Werder come up short trying to give the kids something to cheer about.
Christian and Jim recap the match, talk ups and negatives, go over some of Horst Steffen's prematch and postmatch comments, including thoughts on whether there's going to be a Big Vic Winter in Bremen.
2025-09-2354 minRiver Island WrapSunday Fun Day: Gladbach Recap ShowHorstball has arrived and Werder is Horsty again. The newest additions to the squad show out, key veterans return to action, young boys show signs of improvement, and a dominant Bremen send another Bundesliga manager to the lines at the Jobcenter.
Positive Christian stops by to discuss the closing of the transfer window and whether he's ready to change his tune on Clemens Fritz.
Plus, Pronunciation Corner.
2025-09-1754 minRiver Island WrapHorst in Shorts and Ten Hag Pantsed: B04 Postgame ShowCoulibaly rides the ups and downs of his first Bundesliga start, the new boys at the back strut their stuff, Keke makes his case, and a Bremen comeback for the ages leaves Erik Ten Hag in line at the Job Center. Plus, a little transfer talk just before the deadline.
2025-09-0245 minRiver Island WrapFrankfurt Hurt - Matchday 1 Recap ShowThe season opens with a goal for Werder but not before Frankfurt makes Backhaus's Bundesliga debut a rough one. The kids are everywhere as injuries continue to bite and Clemens Fritz might finally get a response from Leeds. What else does the Front Office need to accomplish in the week left before the transfer window slams shut on Bremen's search for reinforcements. All this week on River Island Wrap.
2025-08-261h 01River Island WrapBiele-failure: DFB Pokal vs Arminia Bielfeld RecapLeo may be the Pope, but he can't ignore the traffic lights. Bittencourt's yellow/red clouds assessment of Horst Steffen's debut as Werder Bremen manager.
Is there a crisis on the Weser already? Is Clemens Fritz staring at his handy assuring himself Leeds said they'd call back? Does Marco Friedl regret signing an extension back in April? What do Bremen need to do before the close of the transfer window?
How worried should we be? How worried is Christian? Should we expect a goal this weekend vs Frankfurt?
Another season of Werder Bremen fo...
2025-08-191h 12River Island WrapIntroducing: River Island WrapThere's a new pod on the block. It's a work in progress, but it will be here all season to discuss this team we love.
2025-08-1506 min