BFC Dynamo storms into Berlin Cup final after 6–3 extra-time thriller
Berlin (dpa/bb) – Regional league side BFC Dynamo can still dream of defending their Berlin Cup title after a dramatic 6–3 extra-time victory over Oberliga outfit Sparta Lichtenberg, securing their place in the final.
The match was 1–1 at halftime and 2–2 after 90 minutes, with play temporarily halted in stoppage time due to crowd trouble. BFC will face fellow Regionalliga team VSG Altglienicke in the final on May 23 at the Mommsenstadion, after Altglienicke thrashed league rivals Hertha Zehlendorf 4–0 the previous day.
Early Lead for BFC
Underdogs Sparta Lichtenberg briefly benefited from playing on the artificial turf of their sold-out Paul-Kalkbrenner-Sportfeld in front of 1,050 fans.
BFC, mired in a months-long league slump, took an early lead through Levin Mattmüller in the 7th minute. Sparta fought back deservedly, with goals from Dominic Schmüser (39') and Berkin Tonk (49') turning the deficit into a 2–1 advantage.
Late Equalizer Forces Extra Time
Just before the final whistle, Lloyd-Addo Kuffour leveled the score at 2–2 (89'), a result that held through nine minutes of added time—partly extended after BFC fans stormed barriers in celebration.
In extra time, Marko Trojanovic put Sparta ahead 3–2 (95'), but BFC struck back decisively. A hat-trick from Leander Fritzsche (101', 107', 128') and a goal from Rufat Dadashov (103') sealed a 6–3 win for the visitors.
Match Halted for 11 Minutes Amid Unrest
After BFC went 5–3 up, the game was paused for 11 minutes when their supporters set off pyrotechnics outside the stadium grounds, prompting a police response and clashes.
Referee Julius Hanft stopped play again in the 110th minute—this time for 11 minutes—after pyrotechnics were reportedly thrown from outside onto the pitch. The interruption followed a mass confrontation between players, which saw Sparta captain Ömer Toktumur sent off with a red card (109').
Three years ago, Sparta knocked BFC out of the competition at the semifinal stage with a 5–1 home win on the same artificial pitch. Back then, as a Berlin-Liga side, they went on to lose the 2023 final 1–3 to Oberliga team TuS Makkabi after extra time.
