News (engl.)

Defending champions VfB Stuttgart booked their place in the second round of the DFB-Pokal after a dramatic 8-7 win on penalties against 2. Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig. In front of 20,865 fans at the Eintracht-Stadion, the hosts twice came close to pulling off a shock, but Stuttgart held their nerve after a breathless 4-4 draw following extra time. Erme­din Demirovic (12’/60’), Nick Woltemade (89’) and Sanoussy Ba (92’, own goal) were on the scoresheet for the Swabians, while Sven Köhler (8’), Fabio Di Michele Sanchez (77’/85’) and Christian Joe Conteh (105’) all found the back of the net for the hosts.

Braunschweig struck first when Sven Köhler’s swerving long-range effort surprised Alexander Nübel (8’), but Ermedin Demirovic quickly levelled with a header from Maximilian Mittelstädt’s cross (12’). Stuttgart controlled much of the first half and went ahead just after the hour mark when Demirovic finished off a flowing move from close range (60’). The game turned, however, as Fabio Di Michele Sanchez scored twice in eight minutes – first blasting into the roof of the net from a tight angle (77’), then volleying home superbly (85’) to make it 3-2. But substitute Nick Woltemade rescued Stuttgart moments later, poking in from close range (89’) to force extra time.

The drama continued after the restart. Lorenz Assignon’s cross forced an own goal from Sanoussy Ba to restore Stuttgart’s lead (92’), but Braunschweig refused to fold – Christian Joe Conteh spun in the box and fired past Nübel for 4-4 (105’). Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, taking the tie to penalties.

The shootout was just as tense. Nübel saved from Johan Gomez and Max Marie to hand Stuttgart the advantage, but misses from Chema and Dan-Axel Zagadou brought Braunschweig back into it. After a series of perfect penalties from both sides, Nübel made his third save of the night to deny Lukas Frenkert, before Assignon stepped up to convert the decisive spot-kick and send Stuttgart through after a thrilling contest.