Arminia Bielefed will be the first third-tier side to contend the semi-finals of the DFB Cup since 2006 when they face VfL Wolfsburg next week (29th April, 20:30 CEST). Six sides from the division have reached this stage; three have progressed to the final but none have lifted the trophy. Today DFB.de speaks to Ronny Borchers, who was part of the Kickers Offenbach side who were knocked out in the semis of the 1989/90 edition of the tournament.
DFB.de: Mr Borchers, did you watch Bielefeld’s quarter final?
Ronny Borchers: I was in my car on the way home from training and the majority of the information broadcast came from the Bayern game instead.
DFB.de: You helped Offenbach beat some big teams on the way to the semis in 1990. What was the key to success?
Borchers: We were training professionally so were in good condition for the games. This certainly helped us against some of the top sides.
DFB.de: What makes the Cup so special in your opinion?
Borchers: The atmosphere. Ahead of Bielefeld’s game in Gladbach I heard stories of people going to the game even though family members were celebrating their birthday that day. The emotions in the city become intense and people really get cup fever. It’s also a nice break for the players as they can take their mind off the league for a while.
DFB.de: You used to play for Germany yet ended up playing the lower leagues for Offenbach. How did that happen?
Borchers: An injury to the left knee meant that my days as a professional were over. I played as a sweeper for Offenbach as it meant that I always had some more mobile guys around me. I enjoyed the role.
DFB.de: Did you realise at the time that you’d written history by becoming the first side from your level to reach the DFB Cup semis?
Borchers: We didn’t really think about it at the time although obviously the scenes in the city meant it was tricky to avoid it. Our thoughts were primarily on reaching the final.
DFB.de: You then faced Bundesliga side 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Borchers: We weren’t the worst side on the day. The regulars wouldn’t have been able to tell which side came from the Bundesliga. Stefan Kuntz took a free kick and Thomas Dooley fired it home and that was that.
DFB.de: What chance do you think Bielefeld have against Wolfsburg in the semi-final?
Borchers: I think that the Bundesliga side will progress. That would be a normal chain of events and what is to be expected. Bielefeld have a small chance to qualify but if everything goes as imagined, Wolfsburg will be in the final.
created by mmc/mb
Arminia Bielefed will be the first third-tier side to contend the semi-finals of the DFB Cup since 2006 when they face VfL Wolfsburg next week (29th April, 20:30 CEST). Six sides from the division have reached this stage; three have progressed to the final but none have lifted the trophy. Today DFB.de speaks to Ronny Borchers, who was part of the Kickers Offenbach side who were knocked out in the semis of the 1989/90 edition of the tournament.
DFB.de: Mr Borchers, did you watch Bielefeld’s quarter final?
Ronny Borchers: I was in my car on the way home from training and the majority of the information broadcast came from the Bayern game instead.
DFB.de: You helped Offenbach beat some big teams on the way to the semis in 1990. What was the key to success?
Borchers: We were training professionally so were in good condition for the games. This certainly helped us against some of the top sides.
DFB.de: What makes the Cup so special in your opinion?
Borchers: The atmosphere. Ahead of Bielefeld’s game in Gladbach I heard stories of people going to the game even though family members were celebrating their birthday that day. The emotions in the city become intense and people really get cup fever. It’s also a nice break for the players as they can take their mind off the league for a while.
DFB.de: You used to play for Germany yet ended up playing the lower leagues for Offenbach. How did that happen?
Borchers: An injury to the left knee meant that my days as a professional were over. I played as a sweeper for Offenbach as it meant that I always had some more mobile guys around me. I enjoyed the role.
DFB.de: Did you realise at the time that you’d written history by becoming the first side from your level to reach the DFB Cup semis?
Borchers: We didn’t really think about it at the time although obviously the scenes in the city meant it was tricky to avoid it. Our thoughts were primarily on reaching the final.
DFB.de: You then faced Bundesliga side 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Borchers: We weren’t the worst side on the day. The regulars wouldn’t have been able to tell which side came from the Bundesliga. Stefan Kuntz took a free kick and Thomas Dooley fired it home and that was that.
DFB.de: What chance do you think Bielefeld have against Wolfsburg in the semi-final?
Borchers: I think that the Bundesliga side will progress. That would be a normal chain of events and what is to be expected. Bielefeld have a small chance to qualify but if everything goes as imagined, Wolfsburg will be in the final.
