It was the biggest of many upsets at the Supercup between double winner Leverkusen and runner-up VfB Stuttgart (6:5 on penalties).
Due to a defective camera, the penalty shootout had to take place in front of the north curve in Leverkusen’s BayArena. There was no usual choice of sides, just a vote to determine which team would start.
Some Stuttgart fans, however, suspected that they had won the toss, but that the shots were still taken on goal in front of the Bayer fans. However, this was a misunderstanding.
After the choice of sides disputeThe Hoeneß reaction in video
Quelle: DFL18.08.2024
The super-fight in the Supercup!
A DFL spokesperson explained the confusion to BILD: “The goal-line technology consists of several cameras, one of which on the south side of the stadium stopped working towards the end of the game. This was communicated to the referee team. The aim was therefore to shoot at the goal where the technology was working properly so that there would be no doubt in controversial scenes. There was therefore no choice of sides.”
To explain: The goal-line technology cameras are important for penalty kicks because they are supposed to show whether the goalkeeper left the line too early.
Lukas Hradecky celebrates his saved penalty
Photo: Andreas Pohl / BILD
According to BILD information, the team around referee Tobias Stieler (43) received a radio message at the same time that there was a technical problem on the south side.
The result: Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky (34) and his Stuttgart colleague Atakan Karazor (27) were informed by Stieler in the center circle before the penalty shootout that the shots would have to be taken on the north side.
Hradecky told BILD: “The sides were not drawn because of the camera, only who would start. Stuttgart had won the election and decided to start.”
Hradecky saved Stuttgart’s third penalty against Frans Krätzig (21), enabling Leverkusen to win their third title in 2024.
