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Clash in the Second League: Hertha - RSV Eintracht versus Lautern

First-round DFP cup encounters show Berlin's 1. FC Union facing an apparently manageable opponent. In contrast, Hertha, Cottbus, BFC Dynamo, and newcomer RSV Eintracht 1949 appear to be up against tougher competitors.

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First-round cup match sees 1st FC Union Berlin potentially facing an ease-laden opponent, unlike...
First-round cup match sees 1st FC Union Berlin potentially facing an ease-laden opponent, unlike Hertha, Cottbus, BFC Dynamo, and debutant RSV Eintracht 1949 who may face tougher competition.

Clash in the Second League: Hertha - RSV Eintracht versus Lautern

Unfiltered, Unleashed, and Unapologetic Guide to the DFB-Pokal Action:

Here's the lowdown on the first round of the DFB-Pokal, featuring Berlin and Brandenburg clubs:

Hertha BSC Berlin vs. Preußen Münster

Old rivals are set to clash as Hertha squares off against SC Preußen Münster in the Pokal opener. The Hauptstadter lost to their Zweitliga counterparts twice last season. Can they exact revenge and make it to the next round? Remember that heart-stopping quarter-final against 1. FC Köln last year in extra time? Or the semi-final elimination? That dream of playing the final at the Olympiastadion is still burning bright in the hearts of the Berliners.

1. FC Union Berlin vs. FC Gütersloh

The Iron Ones are on a quest to claim the Pokal in their club history. Their last attempt ended in defeat in the final against FC Schalke 04 in 2001 and a semi-final exit against RB Leipzig in 2022. Facing Regionalliga West vice-champions FC Gütersloh, Union are heavy favorites, but they can't afford to slip up. A win is non-negotiable for the Köpenicker side.

Energie Cottbus vs. Hannover 96

Energie qualified for the competition by ending the 3. Liga in fourth place, hoping for a high-profile opponent to pack their stadium. Hannover 96 might not be it, but don't count out the Lower Saxony Zweitligist just yet. Cottbus, though, has a dismal track record in the first round, exiting an astounding eight times in a row.

BFC Dynamo vs. VfL Bochum

Regionalliga side BFC Dynamo will host relegated Bundesliga side VfL Bochum. The underdogs have bowed out eight times in a row in the first round, but maybe this is their year. Only time will tell.

RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern

The Oberligist has finally made it to the DFB-Pokal for the very first time, securing the somewhat lucrative prize money of around €200,000 for winning the Brandenburg Landespokal. They'll face Zweitliga side 1. FC Kaiserslautern, and they'll be playing the match neither at their home Heinrich-Zille-Straße sports field nor at the Karl-Liebknecht-Stadion or Mommsenstadion – only time will reveal where they'll square off.

Calendar of Matches:

The 32 first-round matches will go down between August 15 (Friday) and 18 (Monday). The matches of champions Bayern and Pokal winners VfB Stuttgart will be rescheduled to August 26/27, as they'll face off in the DFL-Supercup on August 16. The Pokal final will take place on May 23, 2026, at the Berlin Olympiastadion.

Berlin and Brandenburg Clubs in the DFB-Pokal:

The region has birthed a motley crew of clubs over the years, ranging from Premier League titans like Hertha BSC Berlin to garage teams. Although their histories in the competition vary, all club participants seek glory. You got Hertha, Union, energetic Energie Cottbus, spirited Babelsberg 03, and a myriad of smaller teams, each with their unique tale to tell.

Small-time underdogs occasionally pull off stunning victories, but usually, these clubs exit in the early rounds. Exceptions include Union Berlin, Union Berlin, and Union Berlin – OK, even we're tired of repeating that. The upcoming rounds will lie in the hands of the draw and the teams' form:

  1. Hertha BSC (currently in 2. Bundesliga): Favorite for early-round home matches against lower-ranked opponents, but inconsistency may spark an upset.
  2. Union Berlin (Bundesliga): Expected to breeze past early rounds, though a tough away draw could bring a stumble.
  3. The Minor Teams (e.g., Babelsberg 03, Regionalliga Nordost, or Berlin-Liga): Rarely advancing, but a lucky draw or strong performance could grant some unexpected success.

Join us in supporting our beloved Berlin and Brandenburg clubs in their DFB-Pokal adventure! May the best team win!

  1. The forthcoming European football season promises thrilling games, with the DFB-Pokal action heating up as football powerhouses Hertha BSC Berlin and Union Berlin, hailing from Germany's Berlin and Brandenburg regions, vie for a spot in the next round, renewing their Sports rivalry.
  2. Meanwhile, in the realm of European-leagues football, lesser-known clubs in the region aspire to make their mark, with the minor teams like Babelsberg 03, Regionalliga Nordost, or Berlin-Liga hopeful of a surprising run in the DFB-Pokal, bucking the trend of early eliminations in the tournament.

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