Werder Bremen were thrilled with their 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao last night, and it secured them top spot in Europa League Group L with an unbeaten record.

The victory boosted confidence ahead of Sunday's Bundesliga clash with local rivals Hamburg - the most fiercely contested derby in northern Germany.

The result also got them back to winning ways after their 23-game unbeaten streak was broken by Schalke last weekend.

"We are meeting Hamburg at just the right time," said Bremen's director of sport Klaus Allofs.

"We wanted to stand up again after the Schalke game and improve things and we have done that.

"On an evening like this, I don't want to look for anything negative."

After impressing in Spain, the Bremen players wasted no time in turning their thoughts to Sunday's clash at the HSV Arena with memories still fresh of the many duels the two sides contested last season.

Bremen got the upper hand by knocking Hamburg out of both the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Cup, and Torsten Frings believes revenge will be on their opponents' mind.

"We spoiled everything for Hamburg last spring and they are going to be on fire to get a different result this time," he said on the club's official website.

"It is going to be a very hot atmosphere, but we are going to be prepared. There is no reason for us to get carried away."

Defender Per Mertesacker added that Bremen's motivation for the game is "enormous".

"This last game before Christmas is a big one and it will be an indication as to which of these teams, who have the same points, will keep in touch with the leaders," he added.

"I expect we will have as many fans as we did in the spring and that the atmosphere will be electric.

"This (win) gives us a good feeling to go to Hamburg."