Fürth shock Hoffenheim to reach last four

Manager Holger Stanislawski alluded to probable changes in his team selection at yesterday's press conference and there were three of them for today's eleven. Ryan Babel, Knowledge Musona and Sejad Salihovic were dropped to the bench; in came new recruit Srdjan Lakic, Edson Braafheid and youngster Tobias Strobl, the latter given his professional debut.

After a quiet opening few minutes to the game, Hoffenheim took the initiative. Evidently enjoying more possession, and with wide men Peniel Mlapa and Fabian Johnson keeping the Greuther Fürth defence busy, the hosts soon created the game's first chance of note. Roberto Firmino fed striker Lakic with a neat pass and the Croat struck an early shot at goal. Fürth keeper Max Grün was, however, equal to it (8'). There was little or nothing to speak of about the away side in terms of attack, save for a wild effort from distance from Edgar Prib (21').

1899 halted dramatically

Confidence seemed to be flowing through the home team, and through Germany U21 forward Mlapa in particular. His teasing, dangerous cross into the middle was only a whisker away from finding the onrushing Lakic, while he then came even closer to netting himself. He was first denied by when his shot, destined for the corner, was diverted clear by an a agile parry from Grün, and then a few minutes later when his effort beat the keeper but was cleared off the goalline by a recovering defender (24', 32').

If any team looked likely to score first, it was TSG, but their progress was suddenly and controversially halted in the 36th minute. Compper's robust challenge on Greuther midfielder Stephan Fürstner led to a tussle between the two players, in which referee Marco Fritz adjudged Compper to have used violent conduct, promptly showing him a red card, to the obvious anger and disbelief of the Hoffenheim fans.

With the man advantage, the away side began to show more ambition. Heinrich Schmidtgal tested Tom Starke with a drive from the edge of the box, which Hoffenheim's no.1 kept out well. Just before half time, the underdogs went in front. A long ball into the Hoffenheim half was seized upon by striker Occean and he fired past Starke for 0-1 (44').

Valiant 1899

For the beginning of the second period, Stanislawski sent the same ten players which had ended the first half. Despite being a man up, Fürth allowed Hoffenheim territory and possession. The unlucky Mlapa was replaced by Babel, while Stani introduced another debutant in Joseph-Claude Gyau to try and inject some energy into his team. 1899 were patient and probing in possession, but were thwarted each time they reached the final third. Babel went direct on 70 minutes but sent his shot over the bar in the home side's best chance of the second half.

The final few minutes of the game passed without much goalmouth action to speak of, bringing Hoffenheim's cup run to an unfortunate and underwhelming conclusion. Much of the post match reaction will centre on Compper's sending off, but TSG can be proud of a spirited performance against a team with 11 men.

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