Professionals, 21. May 2025
Here’s a chronological look at the previous rounds for both clubs:
First round, 17/27 August 2024
In the first round of the 2024/25 DFB Cup, DSC Arminia Bielefeld of the 3. Liga welcome second-tier Hannover 96 to the Schüco-Arena and triumph 2-0 on home soil.
Because of the Supercup, VfB play their first-round tie 10 days later than everyone else. Angelo Stiller, Ermedin Demirovic, Pascal Stenzel, Nick Woltemade and Atakan Karazor score the goals in a 5-0 victory at promoted Bundesliga 2 side Preußen Münster.
Second round, 29/30 October 2024
In amongst a number of Champions League fixtures, VfB face 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the second round and win 2-1 courtesy of goals by Woltemade and Chris Führich.
Arminia are in action the following evening. As the third-division club, the East Westphalians again have home advantage against Union Berlin and beat the Bundesliga side 2-0.
Round of 16, 3 December 2024
Stuttgart and Bielefeld play their DFB Cup matches simultaneously for the first time this season, with VfB enjoying a comfortable 3-0 win away to second-tier strugglers Jahn Regensburg after goals by Enzo Millot, Anrie Chase and Woltemade.
Meanwhile, Arminia pull off a stunning 3-1 win at home to SC Freiburg and progress to the quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals, 4/25 February 2025
The Cannstatt boys open the last eight with a home tie against FC Augsburg. Deniz Undav nets the only goal in a 1-0 success.
Arminia see off another Bundesliga team at home in SV Werder Bremen and advance to the semis with a 2-1 win.
Semi-finals, 1/2 April 2025
Clear favourites Bayer 04 Leverkusen also come unstuck at the ‘Bielefelder Alm’ as Mitch Kniat’s side produce another upset, winning 2-1 to reach the cup final for the first time.
On the following evening, Sebastian Hoeneß’s men claim a deserved 3-1 win at home to RB Leipzig after a strong performance and go through to a seventh cup final in the club’s history.
