“Wishes, dreams and hopes”

The countdown is on. There are now just 12 days to go until the 82^nd DFB Cup final gets under way at Berlin’s Olympiastadion at 20:00 CEST on Saturday 24 May. Excitement levels were already high ahead of VfB Stuttgart’s clash with Arminia Bielefeld, but they have risen even further since the ‘Cup Handover’ at the capital’s Rotes Rathaus on Monday afternoon.

Up to 1.66 million ticket applications

“The semi-final against RB Leipzig (3-1) was a standout moment from our journey to Berlin,” said VfB board member for sport Fabian Wohlgemuth. “It was a crucial game in which we showed terrific character and resilience against a strong opponent. Plenty of white-and-red-clad fans are going to be in the capital or at the public viewing at Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz.”

The sense of anticipation is just as keen in Bielefeld. “The whole of East Westphalia is making its way to the capital,” said Arminia’s managing director for sport Michael Mutzel: “It’s a really big deal for us.”

As goes without saying, tickets for the final at the Olympiastadion sold out long ago. According to the German Football Association (DFB), no fewer than 1.66 million ticket applications were received for the showpiece.

World Cup winner lends support

For VfB’s Berlin-born defender Maximilian Mittelstädt, the cup final is particularly special. “As a little boy, I often dreamed of playing in the final at this stadium,” he said. “It’s fantastic that my dream is coming true. I’ll obviously do all I can to make it a successful final for VfB.”

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side are being supported by a VfB legend who guided the club to DFB Cup glory and even won the World Cup in 2014. Former Germany boss Joachim Löw, who coached Stuttgart in the 1990s, has been confirmed as the club’s official final ambassador. “A final – not only in the DFB Cup but in general – brings together so many emotions, wishes, dreams and hopes,” he said. “It’s extraordinary.”