Despite losing by three goals to nil, West Ham United goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen said there were still a lot of positives to take from the friendly defeat to Dynamo Dresden on Friday.
While the Hammers stopper was not able to keep a clean sheet, he still had an impressive evening with some important saves including one from Dresden's Idir Quali late in the second half. but in addition to a promising solo night for the Finland international, there were other positives to take on a general note, with more match action for players returning from injury including club captain Kevin Nolan and defender Joey O'Brien.
"Yes, it was disappointing to lose and to concede the goals that we did," he said. "But having said that, it was good to play here in front of a big crowd and there was a good atmosphere for a pre-season friendly. It was very good to play in front of such a crowd for a game like this."
The Finnish stopper was the chosen request of German television media to give his views on the game afterwards and to speak about the Hammers' week in Germany. Despite playing over 500 games for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League at some of the best stadiums in the world, Jaaskelainen was still in awe of the vocal home support.
"We are enjoying it here in Germany and have been working all week and while the results do not matter so much, we still want to win. We will continue to work hard on our fitness, on our game."
The Hammers face Energie Cottbus on Sunday in the final match of three-game German tour. Jaaskelainen feels that the game will provide another chance for the player's fitness to improve and to work on playing together before the new campaign begins on 18 August.
"We have another friendly game here before we leave for home again.so that will be another good workout for us and we are looking forward to that."