With Arminia Bielefeld: The Cup surprises in Europe

Three fourth division clubs in the race

Hannover 96, Union Berlin, SC Freiburg and Werder Bremen thrown out: Arminia Bielefeld is the favorite fright in the DFB Cup. The DSC is in the semi -finals for the fourth time, it has never been enough for more. If, on April 1, the first part of the defending champion Bayer Leverkusen is also beaten on the domestic Alm, the Arminia would be the first third division in the final since Union in 2001. However, the Bielefelders are by no means the only subclass association that causes a Furore in the cup. Even three fourth division teams are still in the race – an overview from Europe.

England: Preston North End for the first time since 1966 in the quarter -finals

While Preston North End wants to protect the distance to the relegation ranks in the lower half of the table in the lower half of the table, the second division team has been in the quarter -finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1966. After Knappen against the third division teams Charlton Athletic (2-1) and Wycombe Wanderers (4: 2 n. E.), the previously 23 games undefeated and nine games opposite the opposite of the championship as a aspirant FC Burnley was clearly beaten in the round of 16. In the round of the last eight, an even larger chunk is waiting with Champions League representative Aston Villa on March 30.

France: two subclass clubs in the semi -finals

In the Coupe de France there is a double chance of a surprise. Second division Usl Dunkerque is in the semi -finals for the second time after 1929. On the way to the preliminary round, the Ligue-2 Club, which also mixed in the promotion race, switched off the first division club AJ Auxerre (1: 0), Losc Lille (6: 5 n. E.) and Stade Brest (3: 2). Now on April 1st with record winner Paris Saint-Germain, the top favorite is waiting.

The even greater sensation could create AS Cannes the next day. The fourth division team meets Ligue-1 club Stade Reims. Cannes has been in the cup since the 1st round and has escaped the first division club with a little luck. With Grenoble Foot 38 (3: 2), FC Lorient (2: 1) and EA Guingamp (3: 1), however, three second division teams were eliminated. For Les Dragons it is the first entry into the round of the last four since 1992, at that time with Zinédine Zidane.

Portugal: The fourth division team comes into the semi -finals with a lot of happiness

Another fourth division team had much more. FC Tirsense is in the semi -finals of the Taça de Portugal for the second time after 1971. The most difficult task on the way was the third division team Caldas SC (2-1) in the 2nd round. Now Tirsense, who struggles in Série A des Camponato de Portugal, meets the Record winner Benfica Lisbon in the first and second leg (April 9/23)- like 54 years ago. At that time, the underdog clearly lost 1: 3 and 1: 5.

Türkiye: Third division surprises some Süper-Lig clubs

In Turkey, ISKENDERSPOR has made it into the quarter-finals for the first time-and trumped some Süper-League clubs. The third division team initially made the leap into the new group phase against Hatayspor (1-0), in which Trabzonspor (2: 2) as well as against the second division team Fatih Karagümrük (2: 1) and MKE Ankaragücü (1: 1) were brought five points to land in front of the Sweeper League Caykur Rizespor and Alanyaspor. In the quarter -finals on April 1st, another first division is waiting with Konyaspor.

Poland: Does Ruch Chorzow kick in the footsteps of Wisla Krakow?

After a second division team in Puchar Polski triumphed with Wisla Krakow last year, it wants to imitate first division relegated Ruch Chorzow. After three four of the fourth parties were defeated, the traditional club from Upper Silesia switched off in the quarter-finals Ekstraklasa-Club Korona Kielce (2-0). In the round of the last four, record winner Legia Warsaw is now waiting on April 2.

Switzerland: FC Biel-Bienne again proves cup qualities

FC Biel-Bienne in 1896 once again proves its qualities in the cup. After the quarter -finals were reached last year, the third division team is now in the preliminary round of the Swiss Cup. Already in the 1st round the second division club Neuchâtel Xamax FCS (2: 1) felt the cup skills of the FCB, in the quarter -finals FC Lugano (2: 0) had to cut the sails. The reigning champion BSC Young Boys is waiting on April 26.

Israel: Hapoel Tel Aviv as a second division for the 17th title?

Hapoel Tel Aviv could win the GVia Hamedina for the 17th time – but for the first time as a second division. The first division relegated switched off the league competitors Maccabi Jaffa (2: 1) and Hapoel Ramat Gan (2-0) as well as the first division clubs Ironi Tiberias (2: 0) and Hapoel Haifa (2: 1) on the way to the semi-finals. In the semifinals, the leader from the Beletage is waiting with Hapoel Beer Sheva on April 22nd or 23rd.

Ukraine: Two second division teams meet in the quarter -finals

In the Ukrainian trophy with Bukovyna Chernivtsi and Viktoriya Sumy there are two second division clubs in the quarter -finals – and meet on April 2. This will be a club from the Persha League in the round of the last four. While Bukovyna Chernivtsi previously avoided the first division team, Viktoriya Sumy was able to conquer in the round of 16 LNZ Cherkasy (5: 3 from A.).

Hungary: Kisvárda FC is expanding a strong cup balance

In Magyar Kupa, Kisvárda FC hopes to expand its strong cup balance. The first division relegation has reached the semi-finals twice in the past five years. Last year there was an end against the later winner Paksi FC. In this year’s quarter -finals, which Kisvárda only reached through under -class opponents by luck, the defending champion is waiting again on April 2.

Romania: Three subclass clubs in the quarter -finals

The Cupa României offers the greatest chance of surprises. With the second division club AFC Metalul Buzau and ACSM Resita as well as third division club CSM Unirea Alba Iulia, there are three subclass clubs in the quarter -finals, all of whom have already dealt with one or the other first division team from the competition. With FC Rapid 1923, FC Hermannstadt or FCV Farul Constanta, the trio has further tasks from the super league in front of the nose on April 1st or 2nd April.

Slovenia: Two second division clubs in the quarter -finals

There are also two second division teams in the quarter -finals of the Slovenije Cup. ND Beltinci and NK Kety Emmi Bistrica benefited from the luck. It is not until April 1st and 3rd with NK Olimpija Ljubljana or FC Koper the first first division teams.

Moldova: also two second division clubs in the quarter -finals

In the Moldova trophy, the second division club FC Saxan Ceadir-Unbunga and FCM Ungheni fought with victories against first division clubs in the quarter-finals. While Saxan narrowly prevailed against Dacia Buiucani (5: 4 n. E.), it was a clear thing for Ungheni against FC Floresti (5: 1). Now in the first and second leg (2nd/3rd and 15./16.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: FK Famos Vojkovici before in the quarter-finals

For FK Famos Vojkovici, the adventure in the Kup BIH will probably end in the quarter -finals. The second division team broke out of the competition, FK Borac Banja Luka, his favorite role in the round of the last eight, but probably justice. The first leg lost Famos Vojkovici at home with 1: 3, the second leg planned for March 13th was postponed to the Conference League round of 16 due to the move-in of Banja Luka.

Armenia: Also for Lernayin Artsakh Goris in the quarter -finals probably ended

In the Armenian trophy, Learning Artsakh Goris advanced against two second division competitors to the quarter-finals. There, record winners and master Pyunik Erewan should be too big hurdle. The first leg was lost 2: 7, in the second leg in front of a home backdrop on April 1st that should not be possible.

Kosovo: Second division club KF Drenica in the semi -finals

After a triumph over first division promoted FC Ferizaj, second division club KF Drenica is in the semi-finals of the Kupa e Kosovës, which is held in the first and second leg (April 9/23). There is another opponent from the Superliga with KF Llapi, who, however, fights against relegation.

Northern Ireland: Surprise two second division clubs

In the Irish Cup, two second division clubs have hope of moving into the final. ARDS FC already failed with Ballymena United FC (2: 1) and Loughgall FC (2: 0) two primeership clubs and now meets defending champion Cliftonville FC on March 28. The Bangor FC surprised against the first division-second Glentoran FC (3-1) and awaits the Dungannon Swift FC a day later, which has never won a cup title himself.

Montenegro: second division club FK Iskra Danilovgrad in the semi -finals

The Montenegro Cup has already experienced a great sensation: after the first success against first division promoted FK Otrant-Olympic Ulcinj Schmiss Zweigligist Fk Iskra Danilovgrad (1-0) also title defender, record winner and leader Buducnost Podgorica (4: 1 NE) from the competition. Another first division team will wait in the semifinals.

Luxembourg: The fourth division team makes it into the quarter -finals

In the Coupe de Luxembourg, the third fourth league team causes a sensation. After the first-ended win against second division returnees FC Atert Bissen (1-0), FC Minerva Lintgen prevailed against two third division teams and is for the first time in the quarter-finals in which only first division teams are otherwise represented.

Georgia: FC Spaeri is the first second division to win the title

In the David Kipiani Cup – which is held every year – the great sensation is already a reality. FC Spaeri Tiflis surprisingly secured the title in the first year of second division in early December-as the first club from the lower house. After victory over FC Telavi (4: 3) and FC Gagra (7: 6 n. E.), record winner Dinamo Tiflis (7: 6 n. E.) drew the loser in the final. FC Spaeri will thus play a second division club and take part in the conference League qualification.

Exception Liechtenstein: All clubs undermined in Switzerland

The Liechtenstein Cup is a small exception in Europe. Since the Liechtenstein clubs take part in the Swiss league operation, it is teeming with undermined clubs. Like every year, the big favorite is a record winner and second division club FC Vaduz, who meets the fourth division team USV Eschen/Mauren on April 23. Meanwhile, FC Ruggell II from the 8th league made it into the semi -finals for the first time and has to compete against fifth club FC Balzers on April 9th.