Latest news with #Kniat
France 24
23-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
'No chance': Bielefeld embrace underdog tag in German Cup final
Bielefeld won promotion to the second division earlier in May. They are just the fourth club in German Cup history to reach the final from the third division. Of the 81 times the competition has been played since it was created, only once has a side from outside the top flight lifted the trophy: second-division Hannover in 1992. "Like in the games before, we have no chance. And we have to take advantage of that," Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat told reporters on Thursday. Bielefeld beat four top-flight sides on their way to the showpiece event, including defending champions Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals. Their opponents Stuttgart have endured two relegations in the past decade but are among the traditional giants in Germany, winning five league titles and three German Cups. "We don't just want to have a nice day here, a nice holiday," Kniat said. "We also want to win the game and then grab hold of that beautiful trophy." Around 100,000 Arminia fans are expected in Berlin, around a third of Bielefeld's total population and well over the allocation of 20,000 tickets per team. "I don't think anyone in Bielefeld has turned up to work for the past week," Kniat said. "You see people who have been fans of the club for 50 or 60 years. They're ready for the greatest day of their lives. They filled their tanks and went on their way." Bielefeld's American captain Mael Corboz, born and raised in Alabama, said his side were given a special send-off by fans and local media before making the trip on Friday. "Their message was push hard on the gas, stick together, and with a lot of courage you'll make it. And we get that courage from our fans too." Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness said Bielefeld's league status would not be relevant on the pitch on Saturday. "I understand the narrative but it's irrelevant for me. We're not playing against a third-division side, we're taking on the cup finalists. "They've knocked out four Bundesliga sides so it doesn't matter to us which league they're from." The coach spent the better part of a decade with Hertha Berlin's reserve team during his playing career and was thrilled to be taking part in the festivities in the German capital for the first time.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Arminia Bielefeld dares to dream as it meets Bundesliga's VfB Stuttgart in German Cup final
On Saturday in Berlin, third-tier Arminia Bielefeld — playing in the same league as VfB Stuttgart's reserves — dares to dream against the Bundesliga giant in the DFB-Pokal final. For the minnows, recently promoted to the German second division, a roaring 75,000 at the Olympiastadion will witness the fairy tale's final chapter. Coached by Michel Kniat and full of previously unknown players, it has taken Arminia five rounds to reach Berlin, with each win coming against teams from higher divisions, including four Bundesliga sides. No third-division team has ever beaten four top-flight clubs in a row in a single DFB-Pokal campaign before. Arminia Bielefeld's road to the final First round: Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Hannover 96 Second round: Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Union Berlin Round of 16: Arminia Bielefeld 3-1 Freiburg Quarterfinal: Arminia Biefeleld 2-1 Werder Bremen Semifinal: Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen It will now face five-time Bundesliga champion and three-time German Cup winner Stuttgart, which, just a few months ago, was competing in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Arminia, which is chasing the first major trophy in its 120-year history, is only the fourth club from the third-tier to reach the final following Union Berlin (2001), Energie Cottbus (1997), and Hertha BSC's reserve team (1993). The true scale of the gulf in class between these two sides can be quantified by Opta's Power Ranking, which ranks Stuttgart 50th in the world, with five players in Germany's 26-man Nations League semifinal squad, while its opponent is 507th. The vast difference in squad valuation also highlights the disparity — Stuttgart's squad is valued at over €350 million, according to Transfermarkt, while Armenia's stands at a mere €8.23 million. The 2-1 semifinal victory over Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, the defending champion, demonstrated why Arminia's run is not just a mere smash-and-grab team. It generated more expected goals (xG) than its illustrious opponent, with Arminia having an xG of 1.43 on the night compared to Leverkusen's 0.95 Despite the odds stacked against it, Arminia's waspish pressing, lightning-quick counterattacks, and tactical dexterity have helped it slay one dragon after another. Names like Marius Worl, Mael Corboz, Louis Oppie, Jonas Kersken, Sam Schreck, and Christopher Lannert have transcended local adoration, becoming national darlings. Since its Bundesliga debut in 1970-71, the club has been on a veritable roller-coaster ride, plummeting and soaring between Germany's top and third tiers. Its most recent spell in the top flight in the 2021-22 season was followed by successive relegations. Ahead of the final, Armenia coach Kniat said a German Cup win would mean 'everything, simply everything,' to the club, supporters and the city. ALSO READ | Real Madrid to be without Ancelotti in FIFA Club World Cup 2025 'I'm often told to relax and enjoy Berlin. I'd love to,' Kniat told Die Welt, but added, 'I can only do that if we actually win the Cup.' Those words would have seemed absurd to Arminia fans back then. The 39-year-old had just taken the helm of a team teetering on the edge of relegation to amateur leagues. Yet, in just two seasons, he's brought the club to the precipice of European football, with the German Cup winner securing a spot in next season's Europa League. Only once has a team from outside the top-flight won the German Cup: second-division Hannover in 1992. European clubs that won major cups while playing below the top flight Barnsley (1911/12 FA Cup) Guingamp (2008/09 Coupe de France) Hannover 96 (1991/92 DFB-Pokal) Le Havre (1958/59 Coupe de France) Napoli (1961/62 Coppa Italia) Norwich City (1961/62 League Cup) Notts County (1893/94 FA Cup) QPR (1966/67 League Cup) Sheffield Wednesday (1990/91 League Cup) Sunderland (1972/73 FA Cup) Swindon Town (1968/69 League Cup) Tottenham (1900/01 FA Cup) Vado (1922 Coppa Italia) West Brom (1930/31 FA Cup) West Ham (1979/80 FA Cup) Wolves (1907/08 FA Cup) The 2024/25 season has been a season of underdog triumphs. Tottenham Hotspur shattered its 17-year trophy drought, while Crystal Palace soared to new heights, clinching its first-ever major trophy. However, even these monumental achievements will pale in comparison if Arminia manages to seize the DFB-Pokal. It would become a fairytale for the ages.
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
German FA investigates third-tier club Bielefeld over 'grey zone' injury
BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) - The German Football Association (DFB) on Wednesday launched an investigation into an alleged injury to German Cup finalists and third-tier club Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper Jonas Kersken during last week's 2-0 league win at Viktoria Cologne. Kersken went down without any involvement in the 69th minute on Sunday and received treatment, with Arminia coach Mitch Kniat taking the opportunity to talk to his players. Viktoria Cologne coach Olaf Janssen, who was sent off for protesting Kersken's injury, said after the game the keeper was not injured and did it so that Kniat could confer with his players, calling the move 'unsportsmanlike'. Kniat, whose team face VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 24, told a press conference the keeper's actions fell in a "grey zone" of regulations and he said he was just taking advantage of that. "I have learned two words from referees all these years that I am a coach. Grey zones... so we can use the grey zones for us as well," Kniat said. The DFB, however, has now contacted the coach, demanding clarifications on the matter, a DFB spokesperson told German media. According to the rules, a keeper is treated for an injury on the pitch, in contrast to outfield players who must be treated on the sidelines so that play can continue.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Arminia Bielefeld Shock Bayer Leverkusen To Reach German Cup Final
Arminia Bielefeld has shocked Bayer Leverkusen to reach the DFB Pokal final for the first time in club history. The 3. Liga side beat the German champion and DFB Pokal title defender 2-1 thanks to goals by Marius Wörl (20') and Maximilian Großer (45+3'). Jonathan Tah's early lead (17') would ultimately not be enough for Leverkusen. "I am so proud of the team," Bielefeld head coach Michel Kniat said. "The whole region is feeling this. No one will be sleeping tonight.' It is a historic club. Bielefeld becomes just the fourth third-division club to reach the DFB Pokal finale. The other third-division clubs were Hertha Berlin II in 1994, Energie Cottbus in 1997, and Union Berlin in 2001. All three eventually lost the final against Bundesliga sides. Hertha Berlin II, Hertha's reserve side, lost to Bayer Leverkusen (1-0), Energie Cottbus fell to Stuttgart (2-0), and Union Berlin was defeated by Schalke (2-0). Indeed, a lower division side hasn't won the DFB Pokal since Hannover 96 won it while in the 2. Bundesliga in 1993. Kaiserslautern, which reached the final as a second division club last year, won it in 1996 just a week after being relegated to the second division. In other words, Bielefeld could write history when they face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig on May 24, 2025, in Berlin's Olympiastadion. For the club, it is already a historic night. Founded in 1905, Die Arminia has never won a major trophy or reached the final of a major cup competition. How did Bielefeld overcome giants Leverkusen? "We defended with a lot of passion, and that was the key,' Kniat said. 'We worked extremely hard. It was great to go into the break with the lead, and in the second half, we kept up the pressure for what was a deserved win.' The data echoes Kniat's observations. Indeed, at times, it didn't feel like Bielefeld was a club playing two divisions below Leverkusen. The team in blue outworked Leverkusen and had the better chances, finishing the game with a higher xG (1.43 to 0.95) than the visitors. Leverkusen, which really struggled in midfield, also barely outplayed the 3. Liga side. The game would finish with a pretty even 48-52% split in possession and eight to 13 shots on goal. In terms of passes played, it was also even, with Bielefeld completing 226 of 360 passes versus Leverkusen's 243 of 382. With all that in mind, Bielefeld deserves the chance to play for the club's first-ever major title in Berlin. It would also qualify Bielefeld for a European club competition for the first time in club history. Even more critical are the financials. German magazine Kicker reported on Tuesday that Bielefeld's run to the semifinal has already earned the club €7.5 million ($8.1 million). Reaching the final guarantees another €2.88 million ($3.1 million), which would grow to €4.32 million ($4.66 million) should Bielefeld win the final. The two final participants also receive a share of the ticket sales. As a result, the income from the game could grow to around €12 million ($13 million). If Bielefeld wins the title, it will qualify for the Europa League league phase. According to Swiss Ramble, Hoffenheim earned €12 million ($13 million) from playing in the Europa League league phase last season. If Bielefeld reached the competition, it would see a similar revenue. Those are enormous sums for a club fighting for promotion from the 3. Liga. After matchday 30, Bielefeld is in fourth place, one point behind Saarbrücken, which occupies the promotion-relegation playoff spot, and five points behind second-placed Cottbus.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bielefeld 'ready to go to Berlin' Cup final over holders Lverkusen
Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat celebrates after the German DFB Cup quarter final soccer match between Arminia Bielefeld and Werder Bremen at Schueco Arena. Friso Gentsch/dpa Arminia Bielefeld are not finished yet in their giant killing German Cup campaign as the third division side wants to reach the final for the first time for which they need to beat defending champions Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Advertisement Bielefeld knocked out second tier Hanover in the first round before reaching the semi-finals by ousting Bundesliga sides Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen. Being below the top two divisions they have home advantage again when they face Leverkusen, and coach Mitch Kniat is confident they can make it to the May 24 final in Berlin. "We said from the outset that we want to write our own story. The chapter is not over. And I expect that it isn't over on Tuesday but that we can write another page," Kniat told reporters on Monday. "Everyone is ready to go to Berlin. We have to invest everything for that. It is also clear that a lot must go our way." Advertisement Kniat said that his players must show courage and confidence against the reigning Bundesliga and Cup champions. "If you go into a match like this with fear then you better stay at home. Then tell the coach that this game isn't for you," he said. "We are going into it as liverish and greedy as in the last games," Kniat added. Bielefeld are bidding to become the fourth team from the third tier to reach the Cup final, following Hertha Berlin's reserves in 2003, Energie Cottbus in 1997 and Union Berlin in 2001. All three then lost the final.
