Hannover 96 Before DFB Cup duel: Memories of the floodlight debacle!

Hannover 96 Before DFB Cup duel: Memories of the floodlight debacle!

In the coming months it will be exciting again in football-not least for the fans of Hannover 96. The traditional club from Lower Saxony meets the third division team Energie Cottbus in the first round of the DFB Cup. The duel takes place between August 15 and 18, but the exact kick -off time is still pending. This reunion has a good dose of history, because 25 years ago the two teams faced each other in a memorable relegation game.

The DFB Cup, which has been held annually by the German Football Association (DFB) since its foundation in 1935, is considered the second highest title in German club football after the championship. The trophy is a special challenge for Hannover 96: Last year you had to delete the sails in the first round against Bielefeld (0: 2). Cottbus, on the other hand, delivered a respectable performance in the 3rd league last season and narrowly missed the promotion relegation to the 2nd division.

a historical meeting

As the sports boss of Hannover 96, Marcus Mann, emphasized, Cottbus showed a strong performance last season. In a dramatic promotion battle, the Cottbus team had to give up against Ingolstadt (1: 4) on the last match day and therefore lost third place on Saarbrücken. This in turn had to surrender in the relegation Braunschweig (0: 2, 2: 2). The historical review of the relegation from 1997 will also color the encounter. At that time, Hannover 96 lost in the second leg in Cottbus after a mysterious power failure.

Back to the facts: In the direct duel, the DFB Cup has a clear mode. Over 64 participants are fought for the trophy in the knockout system. The home right for undermined teams is an additional pound that Cottbus can throw in the balance. Robert Kalem, a former Hannover 96 player, has drawn a "dreamless" in the draw by Bayern Munich to meet third division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden, while defending champion Stuttgart will only get into the competition later.

The focus on the present

At the latest on August 15, it will be shown whether Hannover 96 could learn from the bitter experience of last year. Like many other clubs from the lower classes, Cottbus could also benefit from the financial premiums of the DFB Cup. The DFB Cup is not only a sporty highlight, but also a lucrative source of income, especially for smaller clubs that go into the race with high expectations.

Now it remains to be seen how these two teams will beat after the last seasons and whether they can build on the performance of the past. The tension increases and the hopes rest on the shoulders of the players, who now have to give everything to get to the DFB Cup.