Poker for the DFB Cup game: Norderstedt is fighting for a stadium spot!

Poker for the DFB Cup game: Norderstedt is fighting for a stadium spot!

An exciting derby is coming up: Eintracht Norderstedt will play against FC St. Pauli in the first round of the DFB Cup. The draw took place less than 24 hours ago and anticipation is growing. This encounter has the potential to cause some surprises and make fans' hearts beat faster.

The home game for Norderstedt will be played in the Edmund Plambeck Stadium, but due to renovation work it can temporarily only accommodate 2,000 spectators. The managing director of Eintracht Norderstedt, Finn Spitzer, and his team have already started looking for alternatives. [Image] reports that talks are planned with the city of Norderstedt as well as FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV to possibly find another venue. Eintracht Norderstedt has already played a game in the BayArena against Bayer Leverkusen in the past and could resort to this route again.

The opportunities and challenges

An exchange of home advantage is also being considered, but this must be mutually agreed upon by both clubs. This requires valid reasons such as the current problems with the venue and also the approval of the DFB. So the planning is still in full swing and with the possibility of playing the match at the Holstein Stadium in Kiel, there are a few options.

Of course, the DFB Cup is not unknown territory for the Norderstedt team. The club, which was founded in 1945 as SV Eintracht Garstedt, has already had some exciting duels behind it. Among other things, they suffered a narrow defeat against SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the 2016 season and were defeated by VfL Wolfsburg in 2017. Overall, they have taken part in this prestigious competition several times, with the DFB Cup representing the chance for smaller clubs to assert themselves against big names.

A look at the DFB Cup

The DFB Cup, which has been organized annually by the German Football Association (DFB) since 1935, is one of the most important trophies in German football. The current title holders are the men from VfB Stuttgart, and the cup games are played in a knockout system. The decisions must be made within 90 minutes, and in the event of a tie there may be extra time and a penalty shootout.

Qualifying for this competition is as exciting as it is challenging, as 18 clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga as well as the top four from the 3rd league are automatically there, while 24 teams from lower leagues are fighting for the coveted places. Eintracht Norderstedt has secured its place in the DFB Cup through several successful years in the lower leagues, and the derby against St. Pauli could be another highlight in the club's history.

It remains to be seen whether Eintracht will ultimately be able to play in their own stadium or somewhere else. One thing is certain: There is great anticipation for the duel at Millerntor and the fans can look forward to an exciting football festival. The DFB Cup is not only a chance for glory and honor for the teams, but also brings with it financial tailwind and a lot of emotions.