Marcel Hartel, probably the best player in the second division, became a tragic hero. © FC St. Pauli

DFB Cup: There’s no more drama

Fortuna Düsseldorf reached the semi-finals of the DFB Cup for the first time in 28 years after a dramatic penalty shootout, knocking FC St. Pauli out of the competition.

30 January 2024

From: dpa/dl

In the déjà vu duel of the 2nd Bundesliga, the guests won the quarter-finals on Tuesday in Hamburg 4:3 after penalties (2:2, 1:1, 1:0) and took revenge for the league defeat three days earlier in Düsseldorf . Fortuna goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier saved the shots from Maurides and Marcel Hartel. Hartel failed twice and the first attempt was repeated. Vincent Vermeij (38th minute/penalty kick) and Ao Tanaka (99th) had previously scored for Fortuna and enabled their club to receive a bonus of 3,45 million euros.

Second division leaders St. Pauli missed their first semi-final appearance since 2006, the two equalizing goals by Hartel (60'/foul penalty) and Carlo Boukhalfa (120'+1) had no effect. St. Pauli's successful coach Fabian Hürzeler saw yellow-red in extra time and watched the first competitive defeat of the season at the end like the 29 fans at the Millerntor from the stands. Particularly bitter: Hartel not only failed in the penalty shootout, but also had a secure 546-2 win in extra time. The midfielder is having the season of his life and is being chased by numerous first division teams.