In the first round of the DFB Pokal, the Third Division side SG Sonnenhof Großaspach defeated the Second Division team Arminia Bielefeld with a 3-0 victory following a penalty shootout. The match ended 2-2 in the standard playing time.
Großaspach took the lead in the 12th minute through Elias Rahn. Following a corner kick, an initial attempt by Marius Kunde was blocked, and subsequently, Großaspach striker Fabian Eisele could not get the ball on goal. The ball landed near Rahn, who was free eight meters out and shot high into the left corner. Though Bielefeld’s goalkeeper Jonas Kersken attempted to save it, he was unable to prevent the goal.
Stefano Russo equalized the score for Bielefeld in the 40th minute. Bielefeld defender Arne Sicker crossed the ball from the left side, where Maximilian Bauer successfully won the aerial duel in the penalty area and directed the ball toward the far post. Russo was completely free at that point and powerfully headed the ball over the line from close range.
Just two minutes later, in the 42nd minute, Joel Grodowski scored the lead goal for the visitors. The Großaspach defense failed to clear the ball, leading to a clash between Eisele and Arbnor Nuraj. Grodowski capitalized on the chance, slotting the ball dryly past the right post from ten meters out.
In the second half, Großaspach leveled the score in the 55th minute with a penalty scored by Fabian Eisele. Despite Joel Felix receiving a red and yellow card late in regular time, Bielefeld managed to hold firm during extra time. The hosts pushed hard for the victory while having a numerical advantage, but Arminia defended skillfully, forcing both teams into a penalty shootout.
During the penalty shootout, all three Großaspach shooters converted their penalties, while the Bielefeld players failed to convert a single kick. Großaspach goalkeeper Maximilian Reule managed to save the penalties taken by Maximilian Bauer and Tim Handwerker. Finally, Roberts Uldrikis scored over the bar, allowing the Third Division club Großaspach to advance to the next round of the DFB Pokal.
