It was a special day at the Stadion Lichterfelde: Saturday's DFB-Pokal saw not just one, but two matches. First, SFC Stern 1900 suffered a heavy 0-10 defeat against Bundesliga side Köln. Then it was FC Viktoria Berlin's turn.
However, for the Sky Blues, advancing to the next round didn’t require facing a higher-league opponent. Their visitors were SV Henstedt-Ulzburg, the leaders of the Regionalliga Nord. With Regionalliga leaders facing each other, the game initially reflected just that.
Many interruptions and treatments for Henstedt-Ulzburg
For much of the game, it was a balanced contest. The match started with both sides cautiously feeling each other out, passing the ball around. However, several early interruptions prevented the game from gaining much momentum. The high temperatures only added to the slow pace. Friederike Nagorny from Henstedt-Ulzburg injured herself in the 1st minute, and tried to continue playing but was eventually subbed off (8'). Later, she was taken to a nearby hospital, and we sent our best wishes for her recovery. Goalkeeper Laura Jungblut had to be treated after clearing a Viktoria chance (12'), but she managed to finish the match.
Viktoria had their own issues as well: Corinna Statz was struggling with circulation problems and was replaced just before halftime by Laura Casanovas Diaz, marking her first appearance for Viktoria.
Yaren and Barsalona strike in added time
With all the disruptions, clear scoring chances were scarce. Neither Viktoria nor Henstedt-Ulzburg managed to break through the midfield easily, though Viktoria made more forward attempts. Danya Barsalona occasionally threatened the opposition's goal (12'), captain Marlies Sänger had a few long-range efforts (22') and attempts from corners (34'). It wasn’t until the lengthy added time (due to all the stoppages) that Viktoria fans could finally relax: Aylin Yaren broke the deadlock with a lovely run behind the defensive lines and slotted the ball home for 1-0 (45+4'). But the first half wasn’t over yet: after Barsalona missed a cross from the left, she finally capitalised in the 10th minute of added time, making it 2-0 for Viktoria.
The second half
The second half kicked off with energy, as Yaren sent a ball forward, only for it to be cleared for a corner. That corner came dangerously into the box but was blocked (47'). Barsalona continued her strong performance, sprinting down the right wing with good dribbles (48'), but Henstedt-Ulzburg’s goalkeeper Jungblut made a great save. Viktoria gained more and more control over the game but struggled to break through the centre consistently.
However, Henstedt-Ulzburg managed to get forward too, though without much danger. Viktoria keeper Inga Buchholz was on hand (55') and immediately launched a counterattack. Yaren received the ball from Buchholz’s goal kick, sprinted down the field, and just before the opponent's goal, found Barsalona, who calmly made it 3-0 (56'). But the goals weren’t finished yet: only a minute later, Yaren netted again after a pass from Sänger, sealing the 4-0 victory (57').
Viktoria continued to push for more chances – with the newly subbed-on Lea Hahn (68'), Louise Trapp (82'), and birthday girl Pia Ortner (84') all coming close – but overall, the game started winding down. Buchholz made another standout save, parrying a free kick from five meters behind the halfway line (88'). Like Casanovas, former Dutch international Anouk Dekker made her Viktoria debut, coming on for Anna Höfker.
A Bundesliga team in Lichterfelde?
This 4-0 win means Viktoria Berlin has now advanced to the DFB-Pokal round of 16. With the draw set for 18th September, there's a strong chance a Bundesliga side might visit Lichterfelde – this time to face Viktoria Berlin. The round of 16 matches will take place on 25th/26th November.
Next up in the Regionalliga Nordost is a crucial match: On Sunday, 17th September, Viktoria will face Union Berlin at Dörpfeldstraße. The next home game is on 24th September against Fortuna Dresden.
Comentarios