DFB Pokal Returns with Anticipation of Cup Upsets
This weekend, the DFB Pokal makes its much-anticipated return, featuring teams spanning from the Bundesliga to Germany’s fifth tier. With the excitement typically surrounding the magic of the cup, several matchups are raising eyebrows for potential upsets.
Among the intriguing fixtures is the match where VfB Stuttgart, a team that has reached the final in the last two tournaments, faces Hansa Rostock from the 3. Liga. A loss for Stuttgart in the first round would come as a major shock. Rostock, playing at home in front of a packed Ostseestadion, is known for their formidable atmosphere. The team has already had a solid start to their season, winning against Hoffenheim II and drawing with Mannheim. They are considered strong contenders for promotion and relish the chance to challenge a Bundesliga team.
Player to Watch: Bernie Lennemann, the right winger, has scored twice this season and is expected to be a key player for Rostock.
Prediction: Hansa Rostock 2-1 VfB Stuttgart.
In another matchup, MSV Duisburg returns to the DFB Pokal for the first time since 2020 when they faced a heavy defeat against Borussia Dortmund. After a tumultuous few years that included relegation and subsequent promotion, Duisburg has started the season well with two wins in the 3. Liga, notably scoring four goals in 11 minutes in their recent match. They go up against Bundesliga debutants SV Elversberg, who are focused on survival in the top tier this season. Elversberg may find themselves challenged if they underestimate Duisburg’s home support, which boasts over 30,000 fans.
Player to Watch: Patrick Sussek, a winger for Duisburg, has proven to be a consistent threat with his ability to score and assist.
Prediction: Duisburg 3-2 Elversberg.
In another first-round clash, fourth-tier Carl Zeiss Jena will test their mettle against SV Darmstadt 98 from the 2. Bundesliga on Sunday. Jena, persistent contenders in the DFB Pokal, narrowly missed advancing last season and currently hold a solid position in the Regionalliga Nordost. Their defense has been strong, allowing only four goals so far this season, and they have made significant summer signings to bolster their squad.
Darmstadt, on the other hand, finds themselves struggling in the league after securing just one point from two matches. Facing tough competition ahead, coach Florian Kohfeldt may opt to rest some key players during this cup fixture.
Player to Watch: Emilio Munser, the young winger from Jena, has netted three goals in five matches and looks poised to take advantage of Darmstadt’s faltering form.
Prediction: Jena 1-1 Darmstadt (Jena win on penalties).
With a total of 32 matches spanning three days, fans can expect a thrilling weekend of football, filled with the possibility of unexpected outcomes. Enjoy the excitement of the DFB Pokal!
The DFB Pokal returns this weekend with teams ranging from the Bundesliga all the way down to Germany’s fifth tier. Many talk about the magic of the cup, but which games should you watch out for when it comes to an early cup upset?
Given that Stuttgart have reached the final in the past two editions of the DFB Pokal, losing in the first round would indeed be a shock, particularly against a side in the 3. Liga.
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However, going to Rostock is a tough assignment regardless of the level you’re used to playing at. Situated on the German North coast, Rostock are known for creating an intimidating atmosphere and often fill all 29,000 seats in the Ostseestadion.
Rostock are already two games into their season, having beaten Hoffenheim II 2-3 and drawn with Mannheim 3-3. Rostock are tipped to fight for promotion and will only relish the opportunity to beat a Bundesliga side in the cup for extra morale.
Player to Watch: Bernie Lennemann – The right winger has already scored twice this season and looks to be a good creative outlet for Rostock this season.
Prediction: Hansa Rostock 2-1 VfB Stuttgart
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MSV Duisburg vs SV Elversberg
Duisburg return to the DFB Pokal for the first time since 2020, when they lost 0-5 to Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham’s Borussia Dortmund.
Since then, the club has been on a rollercoaster, having been relegated to the fourth tier for the first time, before going straight back up and missing out on promotion to the 2. Bundesliga on the last day of the season last term.
Die Zebras have won their first two fixtures in the 3. Liga, most recently scoring four goals in 11 minutes away at SV Verl last weekend.
What’s more, Duisburg haven’t lost at the Wedaustadion since May 2025, back when they were in the fourth tier.
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Didi Hirsch’s side come up against Bundesliga debutants Elversberg. The club from the Saarland will solely focus on surviving in the top flight this season and could use this game as one last dress rehearsal until the real football starts.
If Elversberg go into this fixture taking it lightly, they’ll soon be found out as over 30,000 Duisburgers get behind their side as they seek to reach the second round for the first time since 2019.
Player to Watch: Patrick Sussek – The winger has been a real threat for MSV for two years now. Having scored off the bench last weekend, Sussek is a fantastic ball-carrier and capable of scoring a goal and getting an assist.
Prediction: Duisburg 3-2 Elversberg
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Carl Zeiss Jena vs SV Darmstadt 98
Fourth-tier side Carl Zeiss Jena take on 2. Bundesliga side Darmstadt on Sunday.
Jena are regulars in the DFB Pokal first round and narrowly lost 0-1 to Bayer Leverkusen last season. Already five games into their regular season, Jena have won three and lost twice, and currently sit in 6th position.
What sticks out with Jena when you look at the Regionalliga Nordost table is that they’ve only scored eight and conceded four, much less than anyone else around them. One takeaway from this is that Jena don’t ship many goals and stay in the tie late into games.
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Jena have recruited a plethora of players from various professional clubs this summer, including Dion Ajvazi (18, Hertha Berlin), Miguel Boog (18, Wolfsburg), and Elias Löder (26, Ulm). However, the one youngster to perhaps look at is Jena Academy product Emilio Munser. The 18-year-old winger has already scored three goals in five league games this season.
When it comes to Darmstadt, they’re currently in 15th with just one point from two games, most recently losing 1-0 to Dynamo Dresden. With tough games against Hannover and Kaiserslautern coming up, you could forgive Florian Kohfeldt for resting a few key players this weekend and focusing purely on the league.
Player to Watch: Emilio Munser – Three goals in five league games, the 18-year-old winger should have nothing to fear against a side that is struggling for form at the start of their season.
Prediction: Jena 1-1 Darmstadt (Jena win on penalties)
With 32 games stretching over three days, it’s going to be a great festival of German football action, and surely a few cup upsets along the way. Enjoy!
GGFN | Jamie Allen
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