VFB Stuttgart defeated Arminia Billefeld in Saturday’s DFB Pokal Final at the Olympia Stadion in Berlin, securing the major trophies for the 2024/25 season and ending the competition.
Stuttgart actually settled the outcome of the match within the opening 30 minutes, giving Nick Waltemaard (15′), Enzomilot (22′) and Deni Zundev (28′) a three-goal advantage. Milo was 0-4 again, with goals from Julian Cania (82′) and goals from Josha Vagnoman (85′) (85′) offered Arminia a bit of comfort.
team
Arminia coach Michelle Niatt formed the team 4-3-3. Jonas Thomas Kirsken was caught in the goal, with centre backs Leon Schneider and Maximilian Grosser interjected between Felix Hagman and Louis Ockey. Stefano Russo stuck the midfield, with Sam Schreck and Mael Corboz taking on box-to-box roles. Noah Joel Sarenren Buzzy attacked from the right, Marius attacked Waal from the left and Joel attacked Grodovsky in the middle.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart boss Sebastian Honness went in the form of 4-2-3-1. Alexander Nouvelle stood between the posts. Julian Chabott and Luca Jaquez were paired up at the centre of their defense. Maximilian Mittelstadt covered the left defensive flank, Josha Vanyanman, to the right. Angelo Stiller and Atacan Carrázer played deeper midfield positions, but the trio of Chris Hoolic, Dennis Urvu and Enzo Milo supported striker Nick Urtemade as the focus of the offense.
Important moments
Bielefeld started brightly when Bazee rattled the crossbar from close range, first hit first. However, Stuttgart made the most of their early chances as they began scoring with an accurate low shot in the 15th minute, just one day after Nick Ultemade received his first German call-up.
Enzo Miro doubled his lead after seven minutes and tapped the open net after a smart build-up play from Dennis Unv.
Milo concluded the brace with a solo effort composed after the break, making it 4-0. Stuttgart’s captain of Atakan Kalaser appeared to have added a fifth, but his goal was choked for offside.
Bielefeld recovered late with goals from the goals of Kania and Vagnoman himself, making things a little tense for a short time. However, the slow Save from Nubel’s alternative Lukas Kunze has ensured that since 1997, Stuttgart will hold Stuttgart to unlock the first trophy in this competition.
Arminia’s amazing cup run
Regardless of this defeat, it was a very good season for Arminia Bielefeld, who reached the final by sending some Bundesliga sides before coming across Stuttgart. In the 16th round, they beat Freiburg to win Vader Bremen in the quarterfinals, but the biggest upset came to the finals when they won last season’s Bundesliga champion Bayer Lewerkusen 2-1.
It was a huge success for the team competing in the third tier of German football, finishing the campaign at the top of the table.
The glorious end of the season with mixed results in Stuttgart
Stuttgart’s 2024/25 season was a roller coaster with highs and lows. Despite a disappointing ninth place finish in the Bundesliga, including six consecutive home losses, the team ultimately found a red spot in DFB Pokal. Their Champions League campaign ended in the league phase, finishing 26th and missing the knockout stage, but their memorable 1-0 away victory over Juventus stood out.
The highlight of the season was undoubtedly clinching his fourth DFB-Pokal title in this final. This victory secured a spot in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League and the opportunity to host the 2025 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup with Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich.
Under Hoenes’ guidance, the team introduced resilience and depth. New signatures like Woltemade played a pivotal role, becoming the club’s top scorer with 16 goals in 32 matches and earning a call to the German national team. Millot also appeared as a key player, making a significant contribution to all competitions.
The league’s performances didn’t meet expectations, but the success of the Cup and the emergence of new talent provided a silver lining, setting a hopeful tone for the upcoming season.