Football – Hertha has to go to Cologne in the DFB Cup round of 16
Ah, the sweet smell of competition—like a freshly mown pitch mixed with a hint of desperation from last-minute goalkeepers! Speaking of which, our beloved second division team, Hertha BSC, has found themselves facing off against their league rivals 1. FC Köln in the DFB Cup round of 16. Who knew the draw would turn into such a riveting drama worthy of a late-night soap opera? Featured on the ARD sports show, conducted by none other than European Championship saxophonist André Schnura and DFB sports director Rudi Völler, this was the match-up everyone didn’t know they needed!
Just a week prior, these two titans clashed on Saturday, with poor Hertha handing over the points like they were party favors—losing 1-0 in front of their home crowd. Apparently, they thought playing football was similar to their evening strolls through Berlin’s parks. Hertha coach Cristian Fiél quipped, “We will prepare well and then do everything we can to secure a place in the next round,” which sounds great, as long as his players don’t consider ‘preparation’ to be a night spent binge-watching the last season of *Friends*.
On the flip side, Cologne’s coach, Gerhard Struber, is practically grinning from ear to ear. “I’m happy that we have a home game in the cup again,” he said, which translates into “I’m ecstatic to potentially make Hertha’s journey even more painful.” He knows the drill: They plan to come out swinging—and perhaps, with flaming torches and pitchforks—as they aim to be the ones advancing to the next round!
The Longing is Great
Mark your calendars, folks! The round of 16 games are set for December 3rd and 4th, and if there’s one thing to know about the DFB Cup, it’s that anything is possible—like watching a cat chase its own tail. Hertha BSC managed to knock out Bundesliga club Heidenheim in the second round, proving they can play football, albeit sporadically.
Those insatiable Hertha fans are longing for a historic cup final right in their backyard, at the magnificent Olympic Stadium. But let’s face it, since 1985, that dream is like trying to find a needle in a haystack—if the haystack were full of other clubs trying to sabotage their chances. Last season was especially tragic, as they were eliminated in the quarterfinals against 1. FC Kaiserslautern—a match that’s certainly best left to the history books of ‘What Not to Do in Cup Competitions’.
The Round of 16 at a Glance
Now, let’s break down the other exciting clashes that await us:
- Arminia Bielefeld – SC Freiburg
- Bayern Munich – Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Werder Bremen – SV Darmstadt 98
- Lawnball Leipzig – Eintracht Frankfurt
- Karlsruher SC – FC Augsburg
- Jahn Regensburg – VfB Stuttgart
- 1. FC Köln – Hertha BSC
- VfL Wolfsburg – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
The excitement is palpable—much like that moment before a bad joke is told. And who knows, maybe this will be the one time Hertha harnesses their inner phoenix and rises from the ashes of mediocrity! Let’s hope they bring their A-game and maybe a sense of humor, because heaven knows they’ll need it!
Broadcast: Abendschau, November 3rd, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Football – Hertha has to go to Cologne in the DFB Cup round of 16
Bild: IMAGO / Picture Point LE
In an exciting development for the DFB Cup, second division soccer team Hertha BSC will face off against league rivals 1. FC Köln in the round of 16. This draw, conducted during the ARD sports show by renowned European Championship saxophonist André Schnura alongside DFB sports director Rudi Völler, sets the stage for a thrilling matchup. The two clubs recently clashed in the league, where Hertha experienced a disappointing 1-0 defeat in Berlin. Hertha’s head coach Cristian Fiél stated, “We will prepare well and then do everything we can to secure a place in the next round,” reflecting the determination to turn their fortunes around in the cup.
Cologne’s coach Gerhard Struber expressed optimism about the upcoming encounter: “I’m happy that we have a home game in the cup again. We saw yesterday how difficult it can be against Hertha, but we left the pitch as winners. We want that again at home and aim to advance one round ahead.”
The longing is great
The highly anticipated round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place on December 3rd and 4th. Notably, the Berliners knocked out Bundesliga club Heidenheim with a close score of 2-1 in the cup’s second round at their historic home, the Olympic Stadium. This season’s DFB Cup final is set to return to the capital, scheduled for May 24, 2025, in the illustrious Olympic Stadium, a tradition that has been upheld since 1985. Hertha fans are filled with hope and aspirations for a chance to compete in a final on familiar turf, as the Berlin professional team has yet to achieve this feat since 1985. The previous season saw the blue-whites miss a significant opportunity, facing elimination in the quarterfinals against 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
The round of 16 at a glance
Arminia Bielefeld – SC Freiburg
Bayern Munich – Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Werder Bremen – SV Darmstadt 98
Lawnball Leipzig – Eintracht Frankfurt
Karlsruher SC – FC Augsburg
Jahn Regensburg – VfB Stuttgart
1. FC Köln – Hertha BSC
VfL Wolfsburg – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Broadcast: Abendschau, November 3rd, 2024, 7:30 p.m
**Interview with Football Analyst, Alex Sommer, on Hertha BSC’s DFB Cup Match Against 1. FC Köln**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Alex! The DFB Cup round of 16 has been drawn, and it looks like Hertha BSC is gearing up for a rematch against 1. FC Köln. What are your initial thoughts on this match-up?
**Alex Sommer:** Thanks for having me! This draw has all the makings of an intense encounter. Hertha recently faced Köln in the league and lost, which adds a layer of pressure for them going into this cup match. The fact that it’s a knockout game only heightens the stakes.
**Interviewer:** Yes, Hertha did experience that tough 1-0 defeat at home. How do you think Coach Cristian Fiél’s side will prepare differently this time around?
**Alex Sommer:** I think they’ll have to focus on tightening their defense and maximizing their scoring opportunities. Fiél mentioned the importance of preparation, which is key. They need to approach this match not only with strategy but with the mentality of redemption after their last performance.
**Interviewer:** Köln’s coach Gerhard Struber is certainly in high spirits, knowing they have home advantage. How crucial do you think that will be in the outcome of the match?
**Alex Sommer:** Home advantage can be significant, especially in cup competitions. The atmosphere in Köln’s stadium will undoubtedly be electric, and they’ll use that to their benefit. Struber’s confidence could also lead to a more aggressive approach from his team, putting Hertha on the defensive right from the start.
**Interviewer:** The DFB Cup is known for its surprises and upsets. Do you think Hertha has a shot at pulling off a surprise against Köln?
**Alex Sommer:** Absolutely, it’s the nature of the cup! Hertha has proven they can perform at a high level, as shown in their earlier matches. If they can find their form and build momentum, there’s no reason they can’t surprise everyone. They’ll need to play without fear and harness that underdog spirit.
**Interviewer:** Mark your calendars for December 3rd and 4th—this is shaping up to be a clash to remember! Any final thoughts on what fans should look out for in this match?
**Alex Sommer:** Fans should definitely pay attention to how both teams manage pressure. If Hertha can capitalize early and set the tone, it could shift the dynamics. Conversely, if Köln scores first, watch for how Hertha responds. This match really has the potential for drama, and it’s what cup football is all about!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Alex! Looking forward to an exciting match ahead!
