Underdogs Cottbus and BFC Dynamo set to compete in the cup tournament - Underdogs Cottbus and BFC Dynamo compete in the cup tournament
Underdog Teams BFC Dynamo and Energie Cottbus Eliminated Early in DFB-Pokal
Two underdog teams, BFC Dynamo and Energie Cottbus, faced tough challenges in the first round of the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal and were eliminated early.
In a competitive match, BFC Dynamo lost 1-3 to VfL Bochum after extra time. The Bundesliga side Bochum ultimately prevailed, demonstrating their superiority over the lower-division club Dynamo.
Energie Cottbus, another lower-league side, lost 0-2 to Sportfreunde Lotte, marking a disappointing early exit without the chance to test themselves against a Bundesliga-level team like Hannover 96.
Historically, both BFC Dynamo and Energie Cottbus are lower-division clubs and thus are typically considered underdogs when drawn against Bundesliga or higher-division opposition such as VfL Bochum and Hannover 96. However, Dynamo showed resilience by scoring and taking the Bochum match into extra time, which indicates a respectable performance despite elimination. Cottbus’s defeat by Sportfreunde Lotte, another lower-league side, on the other hand, was a disappointing early exit without the chance to test themselves against a stronger team.
The following is a summary of the outcomes:
| Team | Opponent | Result | Notes | |----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-------------------------------| | BFC Dynamo | VfL Bochum | 1-3 (a.e.t.) | Competitive match, lost after extra time | | Energie Cottbus| Sportfreunde Lotte | 0-2 | Eliminated early, did not face Hannover 96 |
Both underdog teams are out after first-round matches, underscoring the difficulty for lower-league clubs to advance against stronger opponents in the DFB-Pokal.
In the upcoming matches, BFC Dynamo will host VfL Bochum, a Bundesliga relegated side, while Energie Cottbus will host Hannover 96, a second-tier team. The exact dates and times for these matches have not been announced yet, but they are expected to take place in the near future. The Leag-Energie-Stadion in Cottbus, where Energie Cottbus will host Hannover 96, has a capacity of 4,705 spectators. Ticket sales for the match between BFC Dynamo and VfL Bochum at the Sportforum are not yet known.
Both coaches expressed their determination to win their respective matches. BFC coach Dennis Kutrieb stated that they will try to win the game against VfL Bochum, while Energie coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz believes the right mindset and making the "impossible possible" are key to success against Hannover 96.
In recent years, Energie Cottbus has struggled in the DFB-Pokal first round, losing to SC Paderborn (0:7) and twice against Werder Bremen. However, this year, Energie coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz is hoping for a better performance against Hannover 96. Similarly, the statement by BFC coach Dennis Kutrieb implies that BFC Dynamo is aiming for an upset against VfL Bochum.
The DFB-Pokal first round will feature two second-tier teams: BFC Dynamo and Energie Cottbus, as well as other lower-league teams. The matches will be broadcast on Sky. The exact dates and times for all matches have not been announced yet.
In conclusion, two underdog teams, BFC Dynamo and Energie Cottbus, faced tough challenges in the first round of the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal and were eliminated early. Both teams will be aiming for a better performance in their upcoming matches against VfL Bochum and Hannover 96, respectively. The matches will take place in the near future, and ticket sales and broadcast information will be announced soon.
Here are two sentences containing the words 'sports', 'football':
- In between their scheduled DFB-Pokal matches, the players of BFC Dynamo often engage in friendly football matches as part of their training routine, incorporating various sports drills for stamina and agility.
- After the disappointing DFB-Pokal elimination, the players of Energie Cottbus decided to blow off steam by playing a casual game of football with their supporters, showing their appreciation for the unwavering backing they received throughout their campaign.
