Goalkeeper Mark Flek can, just like his club SC Freiburg, prepare for his first cup final at the highest level.
Freiburg and the keeper from Bocholtz were clearly too strong for Hamburger SV in the semifinal of the DFB Pokal: 1-3.
Quick decision
The duel soon fell in the direction of Fleks and Freiburg. Within 17 minutes it was already 0-2 in the Hamburg Volksparkstadion by hits from Nils Petersen and Nicolas Höler. After more than half an hour of football, Vincenzo Grifo also made it 0-3 from a penalty after a debatable decision by the referee.
Fishing
Despite the difference in strength, goalkeeper Flek was also put to work. He prevented a goal against three times, culminating in a clever reaction with his feet on a shot by HSV midfielder Anssi Suhonen. Just before time, Fleks still had to fish, when striker Robert Glatzel was allowed to head in unhindered on behalf of the home team. It clearly led to irritation with the hopeless keeper.
Berlin
The late goal no longer helped HSV in the match and so the final place could be celebrated by Fleks and Freiburg. On Wednesday, in the other semifinal between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin, it will become clear who will be the opponent in the final battle, on May 21 in the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Europa League or Champions League
Partly due to the win on Tuesday evening, Freiburg can now hardly miss European football. After all, the winner of the DFB Pokal qualifies directly for the Europa League. In the Bundesliga, Freiburg is fourth with four games to go and that place would also entitle them to a Europa League ticket. When Fleks and the club from the Black Forest manage to climb one more spot in the competition, they even qualify for the Champions League.
Orange
It would be the first time for Fleks that he can show himself in international club football. 2022 is a top year for the Limburg goalkeeper, who performs above expectations with Freiburg and saw his strong performances rewarded with a debut in the Dutch national team, for which he has now played twice. A place in the selection for the World Cup, in November in Qatar, beckons for the Bocholtzenaar.