The historic Arminia Bielefeld gave the surprise by eliminating Werder Bremen (2-1) and planted in the semifinals of the DFB Pokal. The really striking of Arminia, which militated in the Bundesliga until 2022, is that now, after suffering two consecutive declines, he plays in ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
In fact, the pupils of Michel Kniat do not even occupy ascent positions to the 2. Bundesliga: now they are rooms with 40 points, four of the ‘playoffs’ and five of the direct ascent.
Julián Malatini’s goal in his own goal buried Bremen’s options
The deed of the ‘blues’, which came from charging to two first such as Unión Berlin (2-0) and Freiburg (3-1), is not, much less, the exception confirmed by the rule. Last season, without going any further, there was only a Bundesliga team in Semis: the Bayer Leverkusen.
The Kaiserslautern (finalist) and the Fortuna Düsseldorf, of the Second Division; and the surprising Saarbrücken. The latter, militating in Third Division, left Bayern (2-1), Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-1).
The team led by Xabi Alonso completes its double after winning the Cup despite playing the entire second part with ten players.
Looking back, just to give some examples, there were several teams of lower categories that were planted in Semis: the historic Hamburg (second) in 2021-22 and in 2018-19, the Holstein Kiel (2nd) in 2020 -21, the Saarbrücken succeeded in fourth division !!! In 2019-20 … Arminia Bielefeld, yes, again, playing third in 2014-15.
We could continue with more ‘Pokalüberraschungen’ (Copa Sopressas): Raúl González and Manuel Neuer thrashed the Duitburgh (5-0), then in the second, thanks to Huntelaar’s goals (2), Draxler, Höwedes and Jury in the 2010-11 final.
Raúl lifts the cup achieved with the Schalke with Manuel Neuer. Pablo García / Marca
The million -dollar question is: why in Germany the modests get so far and in Spain not? The answer, with nuances, is simple. There are no class distinctions. The 64 participants come into play at the same time, in the first round, in early August.
The 64 teams are divided as follows: at the 18 clubs of the Bundesliga we must add the 18 that make up the second, the first four classified of third, the 21 champions of the Regional Cups (Verbanspokal) and three other places that, In this case, they have been awarded to the three regional federations with the highest number of male teams: Bavaria, Baja Sajonia and Westfalia.
The ‘Technical Card’ of the DFB Pokal
Foundation: 1935
Number of participants: 64
Rounds number: 6
Club with more titles: Bayern (20)
Current champion: Bayer Leverkusen (2)
Number of teams that have won the Cup: 26
It is true, yes, Queen first round are used two bombs to favor that the lower category equipment in front of those of superior. In the first hype, all the Bundesliga teams enter plus the first 14 second classifieds the previous season.
Arminia players celebrate the pass to Semis against Werder Bremen.efe
From the second round it is pure raffle with a small nuance in terms of the field factor. If an amateur or third league team faces a professional, first or second, will play the game at home. All rounds are disputed to a single match and, in case of a tie, there is no ‘replay’. It is decided by extension and penalties. Case resolved: You know why in the DFB-Pokal there are more ‘matagigants’ than in the Copa del Rey.