Berlin, Aug 27
Title holders VfB Stuttgart survived a rollercoaster evening to book their place in the second round of the German Cup, edging Eintracht Braunschweig 8-7 on penalties after a 4-4 draw on Tuesday night.
Second-tier Braunschweig entered the clash in confident spirits and stunned the visitors early. Sven Kohler's long-range strike slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Alexander Nubel in the eighth minute, giving Braunschweig a surprise lead. Stuttgart, however, wasted little time in replying, with Ermedin Demirovic heading in Maximilian Mittelstadt's precise cross just four minutes later.
Both teams continued to exchange chances before Stuttgart seized the initiative after the break. Angelo Stiller broke clear on the left and set up Demirovic for his second of the night, putting the Bundesliga side 2-1 ahead, reports.
Yet Braunschweig refused to bow down. Fabio Di Michele Sanchez produced two stunning goals within 10 minutes, one from a tight angle and another thunderous effort from distance, to seemingly turn the tie in the underdogs' favour.