BERLIN, March 18 (Reuters) - Czech striker Vratislav Lokvenc scored twice to help Kaiserslautern to a 2-1 win at Werder Bremen on Sunday which lifted the 1998 champions to third in the Bundesliga.
Luxemburg midfielder Jeff Strasser set up Lokvenc for both Kaiserslautern goals, in the 11th and 39th minutes. Austrian midfielder Andreas Herzog pulled one back in the 58th minute for Werder who dropped to eighth in the table.
Three days after saving a penalty to help his side to a 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven and a place in the semifinals of the UEFA Cup, Kaiserslautern goalkeeper Georg Koch did it again, this time saving an effort from Brazilian Ailton in the 23rd minute.
Victory put Kaiserslautern just three points behind leaders Bayern Munich who overcame city rivals TSV 1860 2-0 on Saturday. Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen were level with Kaiserslautern on 46 points but have a better goal difference.
'We wanted that third place badly,' said Kaiserslautern libero Mario Basler. 'If the others don't want the title we'll have it.'
Four-times German champions VfB Stuttgart were held to a goalless draw at SpVgg Unterhaching in Sunday's other match. Stuttgart are second from bottom just one spot above Unterhaching.
- NEWS