Berlin, Berlin, wir fahren nach Berlin!

This week’s DFB-Pokal quarterfinal includes a match-up between Holstein Kiel and reigning Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund. Not a game on many people’s radar internationally but this 4th division side already defeated Energie Cottbus and MSV Duisburg (2nd division) and FSV Mainz (Bundesliga) and that without conceding a goal in the first three rounds of the competition. Another win at the Holsteinstadion this Tuesday will see them only one short of going to the final in Berlin.

Only four Bundesliga teams were beaten by 4th division sides in the past. Dortmund lost at SpVgg Fürth in 1990, 1.FC Köln was defeated by SpVgg Beckum in 1995 and FC Magdeburg eliminated 1.FC Köln and FC Bayern in the 2000-2001 competition. Only one amateur club ever reached the final, the 3rd division reserve side of Hertha BSC in 1993, losing by a lonely goal to Bayer Leverkusen. It’s a long road to the final but they say “Berlin ist immer eine Reise wert” (Berlin is always worth a trip). The famous DFB-Pokal chant “Berlin, Berlin, wir fahren nach Berlin!” may just get you there.