On Tuesday evening (December 5th, 2023), FC 08 Homburg will welcome the leaders of the 2nd league, FC St. Pauli, in the DFB Cup. As a regional league team, the Green-Whites will once again go into the game as underdogs. Will coach Danny Schwarz’s team create the next cup sensation?
FC 08 Homburg is the surprise team of the current cup season. The team was the only regional league team to reach the round of 16 of the competition. In the first round they achieved a clear one 3-0 win against first division team SV Darmstadt 98. The Homburgers won 2-1 against second division team SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
On Tuesday there will be a duel between the league leaders: FC 08 Homburg will face FC St. Pauli in front of their home crowd. The brand new league leaders of the Regionalliga Südwest welcome the confident leaders of the 2nd Bundesliga.
Sports show DFB Cup Live, December 5th, 2023 8:35 p.m
Homburg coach Schwarz with respect for Pauli
However, the Homburgers can no longer count on the underdog bonus since the win against Fürth. Despite the recent successes, FCH coach Danny Schwarz remains modest and expects a difficult task against Pauli: “In terms of quality and mentality, if you really think about it, a first division team is coming our way.”
In particular, he highlights the team’s playing intensity as being worthy of the top league. Homburg’s opponents are currently in impressive form. FC St. Pauli has been unbeaten in 22 competitive games across all seasons and competitions. “There is still a tiny chance in the 90 minutes – as against every opponent. “It’s important to find them and then use them,” says Schwarz.
Schwarz: “You can feel the anticipation everywhere”
Danny Schwarz and his team are now able to find and take advantage of opportunities. He has been coaching the team since July of this year. After initial difficulties in the league, the Green-Whites have now found the right playing system for themselves. Last weekend they rewarded themselves for their stability. With a 1-1 draw in the top game against table rivals TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II, they are now leading the regional league table.
A recipe for success from Black: think from game to game. Since the victory on Saturday, the focus has now been on St. Pauli. “You can feel the anticipation everywhere. I think this is a game that the club has been looking forward to for decades,” describes Schwarz.
FC Homburg with a curious cup history
FC 08 Homburg could write club history with a win. The Homburgers have made it to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup three times so far, most recently in 1995/96. In the same season, the Homburgers also managed to knock St. Pauli out of the cup with a 2-1 win.
Then and now, FC 08 Homburg didn’t just make sporting headlines. In the 1995 cup round of 16 against 1860 Munich, a tree on the center line of the Homburg Forest Stadium had to be removed before kick-off.
The game against Hamburger SV in 1976 was also unusual. The local groundskeeper had measured himself at the penalty spot. Harald Diener didn’t shoot a penalty, but a twelve meter.
The Homburgers recently made a name for themselves by advertising a condom manufacturer on their jerseys against Greuther Fürth. Already in the 1987/88 season, the FCH won a condom manufacturer as a jersey sponsor – too much for the then prudish DFB. Around 35 years later, the Homburgers attempted another advertising coup.
Snowfall in Saarland: Can the game take place?
The Homburg Cup history may continue to be written on Tuesday evening – provided there is enough space despite the snowfall can be played in Saarland. Until now, the turf of the Waldstadion was covered with a protective film.
This should be removed on Monday afternoon to prevent mold or fungus growth. The frost must not settle too deeply into the grass overnight so that the game can take place. Because there is no pitch heating in the Waldstadion.
The match against FC St. Pauli kicks off at 8:45 p.m. in the Homburg Waldstadion. You can watch the game live in the SR 3 sports arena. On Wednesday there will be a summary of the encounter in the current report.
