By Ultan Corcoran   @UltanCorcoran

Regionalliga Südwest outfit, FC 08 Homburg, sprang the upset of Monday’s Pokal action as they eliminated Bundesliga side Darmstadt. Elsewhere, Hoffenheim came from behind against Lübeck, and Magdeburg saw off Jahn Regensburg.

FC 08 Homburg 3 – Darmstadt 0
Bundesliga newbies Darmstadt found themselves on the back foot inside 10 minutes this evening. A goal created by Homburg’s Philip Hoffmann who ripped down the right flank. His cross found Markus Mendler who tapped home at the back post. The ideal start for the fourth-tier side who carried the lead into the break. Amazingly, Homburg would double their advantage in the 49th minute. Michael Heilig diverted Mendler’s freekick beyond the hapless Schuhen. The fans of the Regionalliga Südwest outfit would be sent into raptures for a final time on 81 minutes. A rapid counterattack enabled Dominic Schmidt to play in Phil Harres, whose shot beat Schuhen with power rather than precision. Darmstadt’s evening worsened when Stojilkovic had a consolation penalty saved by Kretzschmar. Homburg rejoiced as they upset the odds and advance into Pokal round two on a 3-0 scoreline.

VfB Lübeck 1 – TSG Hoffenheim 4
While Hoffenheim bossed possession and scoring chances, Lübeck were gifted a 35th minute penalty when Kevin Vogt felled Robin Velasco in the area. Tarik Gözüsirin stepped forth and fired home despite TSG’s Baumann guessing correctly. A shock lead for the newly promoted 3.Liga side who won promotion from the Rigionalliga Nord last season. However, the lead would be short-lived as Andrej Kramarić equalised seven minutes later. The Croatian demonstrated fancy footwork to create space for a shot that nestled in the top left corner.
Lübeck would exchange the favour before the hour mark as they conceded a penalty of their own. Kramarić given the responsibilities who remained ice cool. Hoffenheim put the game beyond Lübeck’s reach when new acquisition Marius Bülter scored. Arriving from Schalke over summer, the German cut infield and picked out the lower left corner of the net. Substitute Julian Justvan would put the icing on TSG’s cake when he combined with Weghorst to blast his effort through Klewin’s legs for 4-1.

Jahn Regensburg 1 – Magdeburg 2
Luca Schuler gave the visitors a 1-0 lead inside 16 minutes against Pokal opposition Jahn Regensburg. Condé lifted a ball into the penalty box where the 24-year-old striker flicked out his right boot to guide the ball past Gebhardt. A game that lacked opportunities in spite Magdeburg’s 74% possession up until the half-time whistle. Magdeburg found themselves 2-0 up come the 59th minute – a stylish backheeled finish from Jean Hugonet was worth every televised replay. Regensburg would reduce the deficit four minutes later – Dominik Kother firing home from an acute angle with the help of a deflection. That would be as good as it got for ‘Die Jahnelf’. Their Pokal campaign ending for another year as Magdeburg progress 2-1.

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