The DFB Pokal - the German FA Cup

The German FA Cup gets underway

The German equivalent of the FA Cup is called the DFB Pokal. And like the FA Cup it is organised so that as many clubs as possible have a chance to take part. There are 64 clubs in the first round: all the Bundesliga and 2 Bundesliga teams as well as the top four from the third division. The other places are taken by the winners of regional cup competitions. This makes regional competitions about more than local rivalries as in theory any club has the chance to progress to the final rounds.

If you are planning to be in Germany in August – perhaps for the start of the football season – why not include a cup game in your plans?

Giant killing always a possibility

The DFB – the German Football Association – organises the cup to provide lower league clubs with additional income as well as opportunities for their fans to see bigger teams. And of course, as in the UK, giant killing is part of the magic of the cup.

The first round is seeded and the draw is made from two pots. The first consists of all the Bundesliga sides and the top 14 from the 2 Bundesliga. The second pot contains the rest. The first game is always played at the home ground of the team from the second pot.

Cup clashes to look out for

This year’s draw took place at the German Football Museum in Dortmund on 15 June and the first round games will take place between the 9th and 12th August. We will learn exact days and times nearer the event, but we already know there will be some very interesting encounters.

Bayern München are up against Energie Cottbus who last played in the Bundesliga in 2009. Cottbus were relegated to the fourth division last season, so on paper should not cause Bayern too many problems – but the team will be keen to make up for last year’s disappointments with a strong performance.

Bayer Leverkusen travel 50 miles west to play Alemannia Aachen. Although currently in the fourth division Aachen have a large and passionate fanbase who will see the game as more than just a derby. The crowd will be loud and noisy.

Borussia Dortmund go few miles down the Rhine to play KFC Uerdingen who are managed by former Dortmund stalwart Kevin Grosskreuz. Uerdingen are currently renovating their stadium and will be playing home games this season at the Merkur Spiel-Arena – home of Fortuna Düsseldorf. Given the proximity of the two cities and the passion of both sets of fans, we can expect a high turnout.

The DFB Pokal - the German FA Cup. VfL Osnabruck could provide a first round upset

The best chance of a slip-up?

Another interesting cup clash is between newly promoted VfL Osnabrück and RB Leipzig. Osnabrück had a wonderful season last year and their players will be brimming with confidence. They also have vocal and passionate fans who will fill the Bremer Brücke stadium, create a great atmosphere and make life very uncomfortable for Leipzig’s superstars.