DFB-Pokal 2012 Quarterfinals: ‘Gladbach Advance, But Hoffenheim Stunned

The semifinals of the DFB-Pokal are set as Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Borussia Moenchengladbach and surprising second-division Greuther Fuerth have played their way into the final four of Germany’s cup competition. Dortmund took care of work on Tuesday and Bayern took down Stuttgart, but ‘Gladbach and Greuther Fuerth advanced out of a pair of interesting and surprising matches. The two semifinals will be played on March 20th and 21st.

It’s time to start wondering how much longer Holger Stanislawski will be in charge of Hoffenheim. Their Bundesliga struggles were one thing, but now they’ve been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal by a second division side and at home to boot. Marvin Compper didn’t do his team any favors either, getting himself sent off in the 36th minute after an altercation with a Greuther Fuerth player. Not even 10 minutes later, Olivier Occean struck for the underdog visitors and they were on their way to their first semifinal appearance in club history.

For 100 minutes, neither Hertha nor ‘Gladbach could find a breakthrough, but then the referee controversially got involved in the 101st minute and the visitors were on their way to a win. A very harsh red card on Roman Hubnik saw Hertha not just go down to 10 men, but ‘Gladbach go in front as it was also a penalty, which Filip Daems converted. Down a man and chasing a goal, Hertha had no chance and when they opened up Oscar Wendt added a second gor the visitors.