Union and Hertha clash in their second league encounter, concluding in a stalemate
Gearing Up for the DFB-Pokal: Berlin and Brandenburg's Showdowns
It's time to predict the thunderous clashes as Berlin and Brandenburg clubs take the field in the first round of the DFB-Pokal!
Here's a lowdown on the initial face-offs for Berlin and Brandenburg teams:
Hertha BSC vs. Preußen Münster
Brace yourself for an electrifying duel between Hertha BSC, battling against SC Preußen Münster. Last season was a tad tough for Hertha, losing both encounters to their 2. Bundesliga rivals. Can they turn the tables in the Pokal this year? Remember, Hertha's Pokal journey ended in nail-biting fashion in the quarter-finals against 1. FC Köln after extra time last season. They've also exited the competition at the quarter-finals. The dream of capturing the title at their very own Olympiastadion is still a spark in the hearts of Hertha's supporters.
Union Berlin vs. FC Gütersloh
Union Berlin, known as the Iron Ones, have never conquered the Pokal in their storied history. Their closest call was losing the final to FC Schalke 04 in 2001 and getting eliminated in the semi-finals against RB Leipzig in 2022. Against Regionalliga West vice-champions FC Gütersloh, Union Berlin will aim for a decisive victory.
Energie Cottbus vs. Hannover 96
Having snagged a 4th place finish in the 3. Liga, FC Energie Cottbus hopes for a high-profile opponent to liven up their home stadium. Hannover 96 isn't exactly what they had in mind, but Cottbus still holds promising fortunes against the Lower Saxony-based 2. Bundesliga club. Yet, Cottbus has seen defeat in the first round eight times in a row.
BFC Dynamo vs. VfL Bochum
BFC Dynamo, a Regionalliga club, welcomes Bundesliga relegated side VfL Bochum. Although BFC Dynamo has qualified for the DFB-Pokal eight times, they've never clinched a win. In the 1999/2000 season, they managed to advance to the second round, thanks to a bye in the first round.
RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
The Oberligist RSV Eintracht, making history with their first DFB-Pokal appearance, have bagged the lucrative prize of around 200,000 euros for their first-round victory alone, plus ticket sales. Alas, they won't host the thrilling match against 2. Bundesliga's 1. FC Kaiserslautern on their own Heinrich-Zille-Straße sports field. Instead, they will play at either the Karl-Liebknecht-Stadion or Mommsenstadion.
When are the Pokal matches scheduled?
The 32 first-round matches will unfold between August 15 (Friday) and 18 (Monday). Since champions Bayern are set to face Pokal winners VfB Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup on August 16, the first-round matches for both clubs will occur on August 26/27.
The Pokal final is scheduled for next season on May 23, 2026, at the Berlin Olympiastadion.
In the initial face-offs of the DFB-Pokal, Hertha BSC will engage in a thrilling football match against SC Preußen Münster, aiming to turn their fortunes around after losing both encounters last season.
Union Berlin, known for their football prowess, will face FC Gütersloh in a bid to clinch a decisive victory, as they have never conquered the Pokal in their history, with their closest call being a loss in the final to FC Schalke 04 in 2001 and a semi-final exit against RB Leipzig in 2022.
