A fairy-tale journey meets established pedigree as Arminia Bielefeld and Stuttgart prepare to face off in the 2024/25 German Cup final on Saturday, May 24th at Berlin's Olympiastadion, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 local time.
Arminia has etched their name in German football folklore by becoming the first team from the third division or lower to eliminate four Bundesliga clubs en route to the final, including reigning cup holders Bayer Leverkusen. This remarkable achievement stands unparalleled since the Bundesliga's founding in 1963.
Historically, third-tier finalists have struggled at this stage—Union Berlin (2001), Energie Cottbus (1997), and Hertha II (1993) all fell at the final hurdle. Notably, Energie Cottbus lost their final to none other than Stuttgart, who claimed a 2-0 victory for their third cup triumph following earlier successes in 1954 and 1958.
The Bielefeld side enters the showpiece event with considerable momentum after dominating the 3.Liga, finishing first with 72 points from 38 matches. Michel Kniat's squad boasted the division's stingiest defense, conceding just 36 goals throughout their campaign.
According to Statbet, this cup final represents a classic David versus Goliath matchup, with Arminia's odds at 6.80 compared to Stuttgart's heavily favored 1.53.
Stuttgart, despite finishing a disappointing ninth in the Bundesliga, closed their league campaign with three consecutive victories. Sebastian Hoeneß's team narrowly missed European qualification, falling just two points short of sixth-placed Mainz and a Europa League spot—a deficit they now have the opportunity to overcome with victory on Saturday.
For 'Die Schwaben,' the final represents their seventh appearance in the competition's showcase event, having previously lifted the trophy three times while suffering defeat on three occasions. Their superior Bundesliga quality and experience make them clear favorites, though Arminia's giant-killing exploits suggest they cannot be underestimated.
Christian Dingert will officiate the final, which will be broadcast live on MEGOGO.
