Hannover 96 expects a dark rematch against Cottbus in the DFB Cup!

Hannover 96 expects a dark rematch against Cottbus in the DFB Cup!

On June 15, 2025, fate took a new path for Hannover 96. The club draws a horror draw for the first round of the DFB Cup: it goes against Energie Cottbus, a third division team. The game will take place between August 15th and 18th, the exact kick-off time is still to be determined. A look back shows that the encounter between the two clubs is of historical significance. On June 5, 1997, Hannover 96 failed in the relegation game against Cottbus and missed promotion to the 2nd league, a low point in the club's history. Picture reports that in this memorable second leg the lights went out after an hour and the game was lost despite the score being 1-1.

Looking back at this historical anecdote, Hannover 96 initially failed with a third-class season, but was able to triumph in another promotion game against TeBe Berlin a year later. Cottbus itself played in the fourth league last season and narrowly missed relegation to the second league. On the last matchday they lost 1:4 against Ingolstadt and thus gave up third place to Saarbrücken, who ultimately failed in the relegation against Braunschweig.

Memories of special games

The connection between Hanover and Cottbus has shaped the club over the years. Marcus Mann, sports boss of Hannover 96, praised the Cottbus team's performance last season. He recalled the history of the two clubs and the challenges that each encounter brings. This DFB Cup in the first round could be a new chance for Hannover to free themselves from the negative memories of relegation and show their own strength.

The cup season is particularly important for Hannover after they were eliminated 0-2 in the first round by Bielefeld last year. In addition, Bielefeld then reached the final, where they lost to Stuttgart. Defending champion Stuttgart and champions FC Bayern, who will only enter the competition later due to the Supercup, will not have to start this time, while Hannover will be challenged in the first rounds. hannover96.de

A meeting with meaning

The atmosphere surrounding the upcoming clash promises to be quite exciting, especially given Hannover 96's recent performances Mirror often have the dirtiest football weather behind them. This cup round could be the turning point for the club to win back the fans and increase confidence in the club. Owen Ansah, a top sprinter, drew the lottery for Hannover 96 and once again demonstrated how intertwined the histories of the two clubs are.

The coming months will show whether Hannover 96 can exorcise the ghosts of the past and whether they will attack with fresh vigor in the new season. The interest in this duel will be felt everywhere, especially among the loyal supporters who hope that their club will learn from its old mistakes and reach the next round of the DFB Cup.