Hamburg  - Goalkeeper Tim Wiese was Werder Bremen's cup hero as he saved three SV Hamburg penalties in a shoot-out that saw Bremen qualify Wednesday for the German Cup final 3-1 on penalties after the game had ended 1-1 after extra-time.

The will face Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Berlin on May 30.

Germany defender Per Mertesacker gave the visitors an early lead, but Ivica Olic equalized in the second half for Hamburg, who ended the game with ten men after captain David Jarolim was sent off in second half injury time.

In the shoot-out Wiese took centre stage as he saved from Jerome Boateng, Olic and Marcell Jansen.

"This was the best night of my football career to date," said Wiese, who was booed throughout the game by the Hamburg supporters, having earlier made some comments about Hamburg.

"That is part of football and really does not mean much. My comments before the game were not intended to hurt anybody and I have no problems with being booed."

It was the first of four meetings between the two northern German rivals in the next three weeks. They have been drawn against each other in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and face each other in a Bundesliga game in the second week in May.

The visitors completely dominated proceedings in the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 11th minute after a well-taken Diego free-kick.

Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost could only palm the ball to the feet of Mertesacker who pushed the ball over the line from close distance.

Midway through the half Bremen could have added a second when a powerful Naldo free-kick was well saved by Rost, who also needed to be at his best in the 29th minute when Sebastian Boenisch found himself in space.

Hamburg had just one chance in the first half when Peruvian international Paolo Guerrero tried a long-range shot that flew just past the upright.

The home side seemed more committed in the second half after their Dutch coach Martin Jol brought on attacking midfielders Jonathan Pitroipa and Piotr Trochowski.

They were rewarded for their efforts in the 67th minute after Olic was sent through. Wiese managed to get his foot to the ball, but it came to Guy Demel, whose shot was toed into the back of the net by Olic.

Two minutes into injury time Hamburg were reduced to ten men when Jarolim was sent off after a foul on Mesut Oezil, which prompted the Hamburg players to scream at Werder coach Thomas Schaaf, whom they accused of provoking the red card.

"At the time I was not interested in a red or a yellow card. I was just furious that our player had been brought down in such a way as he was heading towards goal," the coach said.

Schaaf, who saw his side become the first club in the history of the competition to qualify for the final without playing a single match at home, said that his side had been determined to do well.

"We have been playing much better this year and in the cup games my team is really determined."

Bremen had the better of the first half of extra-time as Hamburg sat back and allowed the visitors to come at them, without giving away any serious chances though.

Trochowski came close for Hamburg ten minutes from the end of extra-time when he was set up by Olic, but his shot just missed the upright.

Pitroipa nearly gave Hamburg a late victory when he was sent through, but Wiese was quick off his line and cleared the last chance of the game well before the area.

In the penalty shoot-out Oezil, Claudio Pizarro and Torsten Frings scored for Bremen, while Joris Mathijsen was the only player to score for the home side.

Jol said that his side would have to improve if they wanted to beat Werder in the other games. "I am sure they will play even better at home. We have to do better if we want to win against them."

On Tuesday Bayer Leverkusen needed extra-time to overcome second division Mainz 4-1.

Greek striker Angelos Charisteas thought he had given Leverkusen victory with an 82nd minute goal, but Aristide Bance put the game into extra-time with an equalizer in the 89th minute.

In extra-time Arturo Vidal, Simon Rolfes and Michal Kadlec secured what turned out be a facile win for the Bundesliga side.

The final will be played in Berlin on May 30. (dpa)