German Cup: Hoffenheim draw Berliner AK 07

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have been given an away trip to fourth division side Berliner AK 07 in the first round of the German Cup. It will be the Sinsheim outfit's first competitive game of the new 2012/13 season and will be played between the 17th and 20th August.

Manager Markus Babbel said of the fixture, “It won't be a walk in the park for us by any means. I still remember AK from my time in Berlin. They are a difficult team to play and one that we can't underestimate.” Bosnian midfielder Sejad Salihovic, who himself spent a number of years playing in Berlin, was happy with the draw. “I always look forward to going to Berlin. But it won't be easy for us. We have be very concentrated when we step out on to the pitch:”

This season Hoffenheim's cup run was ended at the quarter-final stage by SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Berliner AK 07 finished in seventh place in the Regionalliga this year. They are currently managed by former 2. Bundesliga player Jens Härtel.