Stuttgart Obliterates Arminia Bielefeld's DFB Cup Quarterfinal Chances
VfB Stuttgart Celebrates Fourth DFB Pokal Title After Overpowering Arminia Bielefeld
In a one-sided final at Berlin's Olympiastadion, VfB Stuttgart secured a well-deserved 4-2 victory against Arminia Bielefeld to claim their fourth DFB Pokal title. The Swabians saved a disappointing season with a ninth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
Stuttgart took an early lead when Nick Woltemade capitalized on a flawless pass from Angelo Stiller, having recovered from a recent ankle ligament injury. Deniz Undav and Enzo Millot added two more goals before half-time, with Bielefeld showing moments of promise but ultimately struggling to keep up.
In the second half, Mawlays Sambia scored a consolation goal for Bielefeld, and a late own goal by Josha Vagnoman narrowed the gap further. However, it was too little too late for the underrated underdogs, who had to settle for the runners-up trophy.
Despite the late flurry of goals, Stuttgart had been in control throughout the match, punishing almost every mistake made by their third-division opponents. Arminia Bielefeld were making their first ever DFB Pokal final appearance and had stunned several higher-division teams on their way to the final, but they ultimately fell short against a clinical Stuttgart side.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß, following in the footsteps of his famous family, celebrated the win with the crowd, having relied on the return of Stiller to give his team the edge they needed. The victory earned Stuttgart a ticket to the Europa League group stage, and they will go on to host the 2025 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, facing Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
The key moments in the match included early pressure from Bielefeld, with Louis Oppie firing a shot at goal within the first 25 seconds, and a near-goal from Noah Sarenren Bazee, who hit the crossbar in the 11th minute. Despite these early threats, Stuttgart took control of the game, with Woltemade, Millot, and Undav scoring crucial goals to establish a commanding lead.
Overall, VfB Stuttgart's win marks a successful end to a season that had started disappointingly for the team. Arminia Bielefeld, despite their historic run to the final, were unable to claim the biggest success in their 120-year history, but their performance in the tournament will be remembered for years to come.
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, as VfB Stuttgart's celebrations for securing their fourth DFB Pokal title echo across European leagues, particularly during the Champions League matches. Despite the recent victory, Stuttgart missed the chance to compete in the prestigious tournament due to their ninth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
