Arminia Bielefeld dares to dream as it meets Bundesliga's VfB Stuttgart in German Cup final
Coached by Michel Kniat and full of previously unknown players, it has taken Arminia five rounds to reach Berlin, with each win coming against teams from higher divisions, including four Bundesliga sides. No third-division team has ever beaten four top-flight clubs in a row in a single DFB-Pokal campaign before.
Arminia Bielefeld's road to the final
First round: Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Hannover 96
Second round: Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Union Berlin
Round of 16: Arminia Bielefeld 3-1 Freiburg
Quarterfinal: Arminia Biefeleld 2-1 Werder Bremen
Semifinal: Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
It will now face five-time Bundesliga champion and three-time German Cup winner Stuttgart, which, just a few months ago, was competing in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Arminia, which is chasing the first major trophy in its 120-year history, is only the fourth club from the third-tier to reach the final following Union Berlin (2001), Energie Cottbus (1997), and Hertha BSC's reserve team (1993).
The true scale of the gulf in class between these two sides can be quantified by Opta's Power Ranking, which ranks Stuttgart 50th in the world, with five players in Germany's 26-man Nations League semifinal squad, while its opponent is 507th.
The vast difference in squad valuation also highlights the disparity — Stuttgart's squad is valued at over €350 million, according to Transfermarkt, while Armenia's stands at a mere €8.23 million.
The 2-1 semifinal victory over Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, the defending champion, demonstrated why Arminia's run is not just a mere smash-and-grab team. It generated more expected goals (xG) than its illustrious opponent, with Arminia having an xG of 1.43 on the night compared to Leverkusen's 0.95
Despite the odds stacked against it, Arminia's waspish pressing, lightning-quick counterattacks, and tactical dexterity have helped it slay one dragon after another. Names like Marius Worl, Mael Corboz, Louis Oppie, Jonas Kersken, Sam Schreck, and Christopher Lannert have transcended local adoration, becoming national darlings.
Since its Bundesliga debut in 1970-71, the club has been on a veritable roller-coaster ride, plummeting and soaring between Germany's top and third tiers. Its most recent spell in the top flight in the 2021-22 season was followed by successive relegations.
Ahead of the final, Armenia coach Kniat said a German Cup win would mean 'everything, simply everything,' to the club, supporters and the city.
ALSO READ | Real Madrid to be without Ancelotti in FIFA Club World Cup 2025
'I'm often told to relax and enjoy Berlin. I'd love to,' Kniat told Die Welt, but added, 'I can only do that if we actually win the Cup.'
Those words would have seemed absurd to Arminia fans back then. The 39-year-old had just taken the helm of a team teetering on the edge of relegation to amateur leagues. Yet, in just two seasons, he's brought the club to the precipice of European football, with the German Cup winner securing a spot in next season's Europa League.
Only once has a team from outside the top-flight won the German Cup: second-division Hannover in 1992.
European clubs that won major cups while playing below the top flight
Barnsley (1911/12 FA Cup)
Guingamp (2008/09 Coupe de France)
Hannover 96 (1991/92 DFB-Pokal)
Le Havre (1958/59 Coupe de France)
Napoli (1961/62 Coppa Italia)
Norwich City (1961/62 League Cup)
Notts County (1893/94 FA Cup)
QPR (1966/67 League Cup)
Sheffield Wednesday (1990/91 League Cup)
Sunderland (1972/73 FA Cup)
Swindon Town (1968/69 League Cup)
Tottenham (1900/01 FA Cup)
Vado (1922 Coppa Italia)
West Brom (1930/31 FA Cup)
West Ham (1979/80 FA Cup)
Wolves (1907/08 FA Cup)
The 2024/25 season has been a season of underdog triumphs. Tottenham Hotspur shattered its 17-year trophy drought, while Crystal Palace soared to new heights, clinching its first-ever major trophy.
However, even these monumental achievements will pale in comparison if Arminia manages to seize the DFB-Pokal. It would become a fairytale for the ages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Liverpool Eyeing Rodrygo Amid Uncertainty Over Luis Diaz's Future
Last Updated: Diaz has courted interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, and the Merseyside club look at the Brazilian as a potential replacement if the Colombian opts to leave. Premier League champions Liverpool are reportedly interested in bringing in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo if Colombian winger Luis Diaz opts to explore pastures anew in the upcoming season. Diaz has courted interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, and the Merseyside club look at the Brazilian as a potential replacement. Rodrygo has found regular playing time hard to come by since the arrival of French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe to the Spanish Capital City club and could look for a new challenge, possibly in England. Diaz has opened the doors for a Bundesliga switch as he reportedly asked Liverpool to consider incoming offers from the Bavarian giants in the case that the Reds were not ready to upgrade his existing contract with better terms. Liverpool have already strengthened their lineup ahead of the upcoming season with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili. Arne Slot and Co. shattered the British transfer record in order to rope in German starboy Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a whooping £135m after having completed the signing of Frimpong from the same side couple of weeks earlier in their attempt to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made the switch to Real Madrid. Liverpool also signed Armin Pecsi from Puskas Akademia and Freddie Woodman on a free transfer from Preston North End. Real Madrid went trophyless in Carlo Ancelotti's final season as the boss of Los Blancos, and will look to remedy that in new boss Xabi Alonso's debut season at the Capital City side. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 12:21 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Hamburger SV signs Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz on loan from Bayern Munich
HAMBURG: Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is joining promoted Hamburger SV from Bayern Munich on loan for next season. 'Daniel has continued to develop at FC Bayern over the past two years, and we are very pleased with him,' Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said Monday. 'He has really good skills and an outstanding character. He's always reliable in our goalkeeping team led by Manuel Neuer. Now he'll gain further experience and plenty of Bundesliga minutes at Hamburger SV.' That's not a given, as established goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes is a club favorite at Hamburg after helping it to promotion last season. The 32-year-old Heuer Fernandes showed he's in fine form with several saves in a friendly game at Austrian team Sturm Graz on Saturday. The 25-year-old Peretz made seven competitive appearances for Bayern since joining from Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023, but found it hard to break through with Neuer still preferred as No. 1 and Bayern signing the 21-year-old Jonas Urbig from Cologne in January. Peretz has also played seven games for Israel.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Ex-Bayern Munich Defender Rafinha Calls Time On Career
Former Brazil international defender Rafinha has announced his retirement from professional football, ending a career that spanned more than 20 years. The 39-year-old had been undecided about his future since leaving Brazilian Serie B side Coritiba in March. "Today I officially announce the end of my career as a professional soccer player," Rafinha told Sportv. "It's been a wonderful journey and I didn't expect to get to where I am today. "It's with a heavy heart that I'm ending something that I've done my whole life. But everything has a beginning and an end, and I have no regrets. I achieved everything that I wanted to in football," he said. Rafinha began his career at Coritiba in 2002 before moving to Germany's Schalke in 2005 till 2010. The right-back later played for Genoa (2010 - 2011), Bayern Munich and Flamengo, among others, before returning to Coritiba in December last year. He was capped four times for Brazil. The Brazilian right-back made a total of 266 competitive appearances for Bayern. He lifted seven Bundesliga titles, four DFB Cups and was an integral part of the 2013 treble-winning team. Rafinha's club Sao Paulo paid tribute to their departing captain, recognising the significance of his contributions both in terms of silverware and his leadership. "Our captain in the conquests of the 2023 Copa do Brasil and the 2024 Supercopa Rei, Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza announced his retirement from the pitch on this 21st of July, 2025. "A Sao Paulo fan at heart, Rafinha fulfilled his dream of defending the Tricolor from 2022 to 2024, honouring our jersey in 117 matches. Congratulations on your beautiful journey in football and much success in your next challenges!"
