Third-tier Arminia Bielefeld stun Bayer Leverkusen to reach DFB-Pokal final

Third-tier Arminia Bielefeld have reached the DFB-Pokal final following a sensational 2-1 semi-final victory over tournament holders Bayer Leverkusen,

Currently fourth in Germany's third division, Bielefeld have become the first German side from outside the top two tiers to knock four Bundesliga clubs out of the DFB-Pokal in one season, following victories over Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen earlier in the competition.

We examine everything you need to know about the odds-defying Arminia Bielefeld, who will contest the first German Cup final in the club's history at the end of May.

Who have Arminia Bielefeld beaten to reach the DFB-Pokal final?

Arminia Bielefeld took their first scalp in the opening round of the 2024/25 DFB-Pokal, overcoming Hannover 96 one tier above them in the 2. Bundesliga 2-0 in front of their home supporters.

Even more impressive triumphs lay in store for the gallant third-tier outfit, navigating past three Bundesliga teams - Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen respectively - to set up a semi-final showdown with tournament holders Bayer Leverkusen.

Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen lifted the trophy following a victory over second-tier side Kaiserslautern in the final last term and would have likely been expecting a relatively comfortable passage through to a second successive final against a team two divisions below them in this year's semis.

Last year's Bundesliga champions would get a rude awakening, however, with goals from Marius Worl and Maximilian Grosser inspiring Bielefeld to a 2-1 triumph at their home stadium of Bielefelder Alm.

Has a German third-tier team ever won the DFB-Pokal?

Three German third division teams have reached the DFB-Pokal in the past - Hertha Berlin II in 1993, Energie Cottbus in 1997 and Union Berlin in 2001.

None of these three teams were able to reign supreme in the final, meaning Arminia Bielefeld could become the first German third-tier side of all time to lift the DFB-Pokal trophy in 2025.

Arminia Bielefeld manager

Arminia Bielefeld are managed by 39-year-old Michel Kniat, who left German third-tier side SC Verl to take the reins at Arminia Bielefeld following the club's relegation from the 2. Bundesliga in the summer of 2023.

A central defender during his playing days, Kniat turned out for a number of clubs in the German lower leagues including Borussia Monchengladbach II, FC Oberneuland and Blumenthaler SV.

Kniat began his managerial career as player-manager of Blumenthaler SV in 2014, before subsequent spells in charge of SC Paderborn II and SC Verl which prepared him for the Arminia Bielefeld job.

Arminia Bielefeld standout players

Marius Worl

The star of Arminia Bielefeld's phenomenal DFB-Pokal campaign, Hannover 96 loanee Marius Worl has registered six goal involvements as the third-tier side have made it all the way to the final.

20-year-old attacking midfielder Worl netted Bielefeld's equaliser against Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup semi-finals with a controlled finish into Lukas Hradecky's bottom left-hand corner.

Previously capped twice by Germany's U19s, Worl spent time on the books of both Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich before signing for Hannover in 2023.

Mael Corboz

Signing for Bielefeld from manager Michal Kniat's former club SC Verl in January 2024, Mael Corboz was named club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.

A key cog in the middle of the park, Corboz has recorded five goals and one assist for Bielefeld in the German third division this term.

Louis Oppie

Arminia Bielefeld left-back Louis Oppie has been another key performer for Kniat's charges this season, with the 22-year-old's fabulous set-piece delivery setting up Maximilian Grosser's heroic winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal semis.

This is not the only assist Oppie has registered for Bielefeld this season, with the ex-Hertha Berlin and Hannover 96 youngster supplying six in the German third-tier in this campaign along with three goals.

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