New Delhi: The first round of the DFB Pokal 2024-25 was a rollercoaster of emotions, with underdog surprises, dominant displays, and nail-biting finishes. As Germany’s premier cup competition kicked off, teams from all levels of the football pyramid clashed, providing a showcase of the unpredictable nature that the Pokal is famous for. From Hamburg’s seven-goal blitz to Nürnberg’s nerve-wracking penalty shootout, fans were treated to a feast of footballing action.
While giants like FC Augsburg and Hertha Berlin asserted their superiority, smaller clubs like Jahn Regensburg made headlines by toppling higher-division opponents. The drama of extra time and the tension of penalties added to the excitement, proving once again that the DFB Pokal is a tournament where anything can happen. Here’s a roundup of some of the most memorable matches from this round.
Viktoria Berlin 1 – 4 FC Augsburg
18 August 2024, Berlin: Soccer: DFB Cup, Viktoria 89 Berlin – FC Augsburg, 1st round, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark. Phillip Tietz of FC Augsburg celebrates after his 4:1 goal next to Niklas Dorsch (r). Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Andreas Gora/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Augsburg travelled to Berlin with a point to prove after last season’s early cup exit. Things didn’t start well for Jess Thorup’s side when Aidan Liu capitalised on a defensive lapse to give Viktoria Berlin a shock lead. However, Augsburg quickly regrouped, with Phillip Tietz hitting the post before setting up Elvis Rexhbecaj for the equaliser. The second half saw Augsburg’s quality shine through, as Samuel Essende finished coolly from an Arne Maier assist to put them ahead. Late goals from Niklas Dorsch and Tietz sealed a 4-1 victory, ensuring Augsburg’s progression despite an early scare.
SV Sandhausen 2 – 3 FC Köln (AET)
dpatop – 18 August 2024, Baden-Württemberg, Sandhausen: Soccer: DFB Cup, SV Sandhausen – 1. FC Köln, 1st round, BWT-Stadion am Hardtwald. Cologne’s goal scorer Mathias Olesen (l) celebrates with teammates after scoring the 2:3 goal. Photo: Uwe Anspach/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Uwe Anspach/picture alliance via Getty Images)
FC Köln faced a stern test against SV Sandhausen, needing extra time to secure their spot in the second round. Köln started brightly, with Julian Pauli heading in from a Linton Maina corner, followed by Maina doubling the lead with a low shot. But Sandhausen fought back, with Besar Halimi converting a penalty to make it 2-1. In stoppage time, Richard Meier headed in to force extra time, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Köln had to dig deep, and after hitting the woodwork twice in extra time, Mathias Olesen finally broke the deadlock with a header, giving Köln a hard-fought 3-2 win.
FC Hansa Rostock 1 – 5 Hertha Berlin
18 August 2024, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rostock: Soccer: DFB Cup, Hansa Rostock – Hertha BSC, 1st round, Ostseestadion. Rostock’s players thank the fans. Photo: Axel Heimken/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Axel Heimken/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Hertha Berlin’s attacking prowess was on full display as they dismantled FC Hansa Rostock with a 5-1 victory. Derry Scherhant opened the scoring just before half-time, and although Rostock equalised early in the second half through Albin Berisha, Hertha quickly regained control. Goals from Ibrahim Maza, Marten Winkler, and a Florian Niederlechner brace ensured a comfortable passage to the next round for Hertha, leaving little doubt about their superiority on the day.
Jahn Regensburg 1 – 0 VfL Bochum
One of the biggest upsets of the round saw Jahn Regensburg knock out VfL Bochum with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match was tightly contested, with neither side able to break the deadlock until Florian Ballas struck in the 70th minute. A corner bounced off a teammate’s leg and fell kindly to Ballas, who made no mistake from close range. Despite Bochum’s efforts to find an equaliser, Regensburg held firm to secure a memorable win and advance to the next round.
Bremer SV 0 – 4 SC Paderborn
SC Paderborn made light work of their tie against Bremer SV, cruising to a 4-0 victory. Adriano Grimaldi opened the scoring by pouncing on a rebound after Sven Michel’s shot hit the crossbar. Castaneda doubled the lead early in the second half, and Michel added a third with a superb strike from the edge of the box. Grimaldi completed the rout before the hour mark with his second of the match, heading home to cap off a dominant performance by Paderborn.
Teutonia Ottensen 1 – 3 SV Darmstadt
SV Darmstadt overcame a spirited challenge from Teutonia Ottensen, securing a 3-1 victory to move into the next round. Kai Klefisch opened the scoring for Darmstadt with a stunning long-range strike, and Fabian Nürnberger doubled the lead with a composed finish. Ottensen pulled one back through Christian Stark early in the second half, but substitute Vilhelmsson eased any nerves with a late goal to ensure Darmstadt’s progression.
Borussia Hildesheim 0 – 7 SV Elversberg
18 August 2024, Lower Saxony, Hildesheim: Soccer: DFB Cup, VfV Hildesheim – SV Elversberg, 1st round, Friedrich-Ebert-Stadion. Elversberg’s Luca Schnellbacher high-fives the fans after the match. Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
SV Elversberg delivered a commanding performance to thrash Borussia Hildesheim 7-0, the most emphatic win of the round. Luca Schnellbacher set the tone with an early goal, and the floodgates opened as Robin Fellhauer and Paul Stock added to the tally. An own goal and strikes from Fredrick Schmahl, Carlo Sickinger, and Joseph Boyamba completed the rout. Elversberg’s clinical finishing and relentless attack left Hildesheim shell-shocked, and they advanced to the next round brimming with confidence.
Nürnberg 1 – 1 Saarbrücken (5-3 on penalties)
Nürnberg narrowly edged out FC Saarbrücken in a tense penalty shootout after the teams were tied 1-1 after 120 minutes. Michal Sevcik gave Nürnberg an early lead with a sublime strike from distance, but Saarbrücken fought back in the second half, with Kai Brünker volleying in an equaliser. The match remained level through extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Nürnberg held their nerve, converting all their penalties, while Saarbrücken’s Manuel Zeitz had his effort saved. Nürnberg’s Rafael Lubach scored the decisive spot-kick to send his side through.
SV Meppen 1 – 7 Hamburger SV
MEPPEN, GERMANY – AUGUST 18: The team of Hamburg celebrates winning 7-1 the DFB-Pokal match between SV Meppen and Hamburger SV at Haensch Arena on August 18, 2024 in Meppen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Hamburg’s trip to Regionalliga Nord side SV Meppen ended in a resounding victory, highlighting the gap in class between the two teams. Immanuel Pherai opened the scoring for Hamburg in the 17th minute, followed by a Miro Muheim free-kick that doubled the lead. Hamburg continued to dominate, with Davie Selke, Fabio Baldé, and an own goal from Tim Möller making it 6-0. Robert Glatzel rounded off the scoring for HSV, though Meppen managed a late consolation goal through Daniel Haritonov in injury time. Hamburg’s 7-1 win was a comprehensive display of their superiority.
Dynamo Dresden 2 – 0 Fortuna Düsseldorf
Dynamo Dresden secured a memorable 2-0 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf, upsetting their 2.Bundesliga opponents in a heated contest. Christoph Daferner opened the scoring for Dresden in the 18th minute, reacting quickly to a loose ball in the box. Despite Düsseldorf’s efforts to fight back, Dresden doubled their lead in the second half through Robin Meißner, who finished off a well-worked move to seal the victory and send Dresden into the next round.
Sport Freunde Lotte 0 – 5 Karlsruhe SC
Karlsruhe SC delivered a dominant performance against Regionalliga West side Sport Freunde Lotte, cruising to a 5-0 victory. David Herold opened the scoring with a long-range effort, followed by Marvin Wanitzek’s precise finish to make it 2-0. The second half saw Lotte’s Johannes Sabah score an own goal, and Budu Zivzivadze added a fourth before Bambase Conté rounded off the scoring with a curling effort from inside the box. Karlsruhe’s clinical display ensured their progression to the next round, leaving Lotte with little to cheer about.
As Germany’s premier cup competition kicked off, teams from all levels of the football pyramid clashed, providing a showcase of the unpredictable nature that the Pokal is famous for. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
