Cottbus miracle: Sebald leads into the league duel against Ingolstadt!

Cottbus miracle: Sebald leads into the league duel against Ingolstadt!

The cup hero is bold: Alexander Sebald from Energie Cottbus.
Today, on August 30, 2025, Energie Cottbus prevailed in a thrilling DFB Cup game against Hannover 96 and the next big duel is just around the corner. Next Saturday at 2 p.m. Cottbus will play against FC Ingolstadt in the 3rd league. After the current score of one win, one defeat and one draw, Cottbus finally wants to score points again in the league.

The good news for all football fans: RBB and BR are broadcasting the exciting game on free TV. If you can't sit in front of the TV, you have the opportunity to follow the free live stream on the ARD media library or on sportschau.de. The match can also be seen on the paid streaming provider Magenta Sport. For everyone who simply wants to stay up to date, there is a free live ticker on BILD.de.

The heroic deed of Sebald

But the focus is also on the most recent successes and challenges at Cottbus. Goalkeeper Alexander Sebald turned out to be a real hero in the cup game against Hannover 96. After regular goalkeeper Elias Bethke was injured due to a torn muscle tendon, Sebald was given the chance and made the most of it. Not only did he save a penalty, but he also made numerous saves, earning him the Man of the Match award. Cottbus won 1-0 and reached the second round of the DFB Cup for the first time in twelve years, after suffering eight first-round defeats in a row.

But personal fate hit Sebald hard this week. A death in his family weighs particularly heavily on his stomach. Despite this emotional burden, he is proud to have helped his team at a crucial moment. “We have a unique goalkeeping team in German football,” said the 24-year-old, who emphasized the special connection to his injured teammate Bethke.

Looking forward to the upcoming league game

Cottbus coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz praises the performance and character of Sebald, who kept his nerve in this situation and led his team to the next round. Sebald himself hopes that the performances in the DFB Cup will serve as an incentive for the team to collect points in the next league games. Finally, the last league game against Hoffenheim II was lost 4-1.

Ingolstadt has not yet been able to win in the 3rd league and will do everything it can to get its first three points against Cottbus. The anticipation for the duel is already noticeable and the fans are hoping for an exciting encounter. The DFB Cup, which was founded in 1935 and is one of the largest national competitions in German football, always produces surprises. The record winner, FC Bayern Munich with 20 titles, has always kept an eye on the competitive situation, where even smaller clubs can challenge big opponents.

The focus is on Saturday, when Energie Cottbus plays against FC Ingolstadt. “Now it’s up to us to take our performance from the cup,” said Sebald with confidence.