Six-goal Werder Bremen avoid automatic relegation

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Werder Bremen v FC Cologne - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - June 27, 2020 Cologne's Marco Hoeger in action with Bremen's Davy Klaassen, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Patrik Stollarz/Pool via REUTERS

BREMEN, Germany (Reuters) - Werder Bremen extended their 39-year stay in the Bundesliga for at least another 10 days on Saturday, when they thumped Cologne 6-1 to avoid automatic relegation.

The four-times Bundesliga champions completed the first half of what could become a great escape as they climbed out of the drop zone and leapfrogged Fortuna Duesseldorf to finish 16th in the 18-team table.