While the majority of clubs entered the new DFB Cup campaign in mid-August 2025, as defending champions, VfB did not play their first-round tie until ten days later due to their participation in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. The same thing happened the previous season, which ultimately ended in cup glory. A good omen?
First round: Eintracht Braunschweig 4-4 VfB (7-8 on penalties)
VfB were drawn away to Bundesliga 2 side Eintracht Braunschweig in the first round in what ended up being a spectacular cup battle. The home side took the lead through Sven Köhler in just the eighth minute, which was cancelled out by Ermedin Demirovic four minutes later.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina forward was on the scoresheet again on the hour mark to put VfB 2-1 ahead, only for a pair of quickfire goals from Braunschweig’s Fabio di Michele Sanchez to turn the game on its head once more. Nick Woltemade struck an 89th-minute equaliser to make it 3-3 and force extra time, in which VfB edged ahead thanks to an own goal from Sannoussy Ba (92’). However, Christian Conteh made it 4-4 in the 105th minute to send the game to penalties.
VfB held their nerve in the shootout and eventually booked their place in the second round – but only after 20 penalties were taken. Alexander Nübel saved three of Braunschweig’s efforts, while Lorenz Assignon buried the decisive spot-kick for VfB.
Second round: 1. FSV Mainz 05 0–2 VfB
Sebastian Hoeneß’ side headed to Mainz in the next round. The travelling VfB fans had something to cheer about after just eight minutes when Luca Jaquez headed in his first-ever goal for the club following a corner.
Captain Atakan Karazor made it 2-0 approximately 20 minutes from time to seal a well-deserved second-round win.
Round of 16: VfL Bochum 0-2 VfB
Another round, another away game and another second-tier opponent. The deadlock was broken in the 12th minute when Bochum’s Philipp Strompf diverted a long throw from Ramon Hendriks into his own net. Deniz Undav netted the second of the game in the 47th minute.
Quarter-final: Holstein Kiel 0-3 VfB
Hoeneß’s charges had to battle for the win against Bundesliga 2 side Holstein Kiel, with all three goals coming in the second half. Undav (57’), Chris Führich (90’) and Karazor (90’+2) got the goals that sent VfB into the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: VfB 2-1 SC Freiburg (after extra time)
VfB hosted SC Freiburg at the MHP Arena in the last four. After the visitors took the lead in the first half, VfB had to produce a response - and they did just that. Undav’s perfectly placed first-time drive on 70 minutes levelled the score and sent the match into extra time.
Ultimately it was VfB who landed the knockout blow in an end-to-end encounter, with Tiago Tomás scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory in the 119th minute to book VfB’s spot in a second successive cup final. Berlin here we come – again!
