FIRST TEAM
12/21/2020

A match-up in 11 chapters

On 22 December, TSG Hoffenheim will host Bundesliga 2 club SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the Second Round of the DFB Cup (kick-off 18:30 CET). The match-up is one that is rich in past intrigue and cup history. In advance of the big match, SPIELFELD have taken a look through the archives to put together some interesting facts on the encounter and TSG's history in the DFB Cup.

(1.)

The Second Round clash with SpVgg Greuther Fürth on 22 December will be TSG Hoffenheim's first home game in the DFB Cup in exactly 2,246 days - over six years. The last time TSG Hoffenheim played on home soil in the cup was on 29 October 2014 (a 5-1 win over FSV Frankfurt).

(2.)

Historically, Hoffenheim have been particularly successful when playing at home in the cup: TSG have won 14 of 20 home matches in the DFB Cup since first participating in the tournament in August 2002. The club's record has been even better since breaking through into professional-level football in 2007: ten wins from 12 matches, with only VfL Wolfsburg and Greuther Fürth (2012) able to knock out Hoffenheim on home soil.

(3.)

The last meeting between TSG Hoffenheim and Greuther Fürth in the DFB Cup dates back to 8 February 2012. Back then, the Clover Leafs - who remain in the second tier - celebrated a surprise 1-0 win in Sinsheim which prevented TSG from reaching the semi-finals for the first time. Although they got knocked out by Borussia Dortmund in the following round, it was still a season to remember for Fürth as they achieved promotion to the Bundesliga. However, their spell in the top flight would prove to be a brief one, as they were relegated at the end of the 2012/13 season.

(4.)

The pre-Christmas match-up will be the fourth meeting between the two sides in the DFB Cup. In fact, it was against the Franconian club that TSG made their debut appearance in the competition. Back in 2002, TSG - led by Hansi Flick and playing in the Regionalliga - defeated the second-tier team from Fürth. Then, in 2007, TSG celebrated another win over the Clover Leafs, with goals from Carlos Eduardo and Francisco Copado securing a narrow 2-1 victory in the battle between the two Bundesliga 2 clubs. 

(5.)

In total, TSG Hoffenheim and Greuther Fürth have gone head-to-head seven times across all competitions. TSG have had the better of these past encounters: four wins, one draw, two defeats and 18 goals scored to 10 conceded all demonstrate Hoffenheim's historic superiority. On average, TSG have scored over 2.5 goals in games against Greuther Fürth. Promising signs for Tuesday...

(6.)

One player from the 2012 TSG squad that last faced Fürth in the cup is still at the club today - Sebastian Rudy. Back then, a 21-year-old Rudy watched on from the sidelines for 90 minutes as TSG were defeated 1-0. The second-tier visitors also have one player in their squad who was involved in the 2012 match-up - Mergim Mavraj.

(7.)

Tuesday's match will be TSG's 48th in the DFB Cup. In total, Hoffenheim have won 29 of the 47 matches they've played thus far. TSG have reached the quarter-finals seven times, failing to progress any further on each occasion. Six of the club's seven quarter-final defeats have come by a single goal, most recently in 2014/15 when TSG were beaten 3-2 in extra-time by Borussia Dortmund.

(8.)

The last time TSG met Greuther Fürth in the DFB Cup, Mike Büskens and Holger Stanislawski were the coaches in the respective dugouts. Today's coaches - Sebastian Hoeness and Stefan Leitl - have one thing in common: both were born in Munich. However, the two have yet to cross paths in their coaching careers. 

(9.)

Historically, a few players have played for both TSG Hoffenheim and Greuther Fürth at professional level. Stephan Schröck, Robert Zulj, Nicolai Rapp, Jens Grahl and Stefan Thesker have all worn both the blue and white jersey of TSG and the green and white of Fürth.

(10.)

The club from the Fürth district of Ronhof have a significant role in the history books of German football. The club have won three German Championships (1914, 1926 and 1929) and played more games in the Bundesliga 2 than any other team. On 11th December, an away match in Sandhausen marked Fürth's 1,111th game in the second tier. The club acquired their current name on 1 July 1996, when the football department of TSV Vestenbergsgreuth became part of SpVgg Fürth. The current name - SpVgg Greuther Fürth - came about as a result of the merger. 

(11.)

The most memorable meeting from a Hoffenheim perspective dates back to 18 May 2008. On that day, TSG ran out 5-0 winners at the Dietmar Hopp Stadion over a Fürth side coached by Bruno Labbadia and in doing so secured qualification to the Bundesliga. Every TSG fan that was in Hoffenheim on that Sunday in May will never forget what was one of the greatest moments in club history.

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