Stuttgart win the German Cup, Heidenheim beat Elversberg to stay in the Bundesliga

In our final main episode of the season, we dive into a dramatic weekend in German football as Stuttgart claim the DFB Pokal and Heidenheim secure their Bundesliga status in the relegation play-offs. Manu reflects on a whirlwind road trip across Germany, taking in matches and soaking up the culture, culminating in a remarkable final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. We break down how Stuttgart tactically dismantled Arminia Bielefeld in a 4-2 win, praise Sepp Hoeneß for salvaging the club’s season, and reflect on the broader implications of Stuttgart’s title win for their long-term trajectory.

Then it’s off to the Saarland, where Elversberg’s fairytale push for promotion ended in heartbreak at the hands of a pragmatic and clinical Heidenheim side. We dissect Frank Schmidt’s honest post-match reaction, credit Leo Scienza and Paul Wanner for their decisive moments, and consider what might lie ahead for both clubs. Alongside all of that, we take time to acknowledge the incredible fan culture surrounding both fixtures, Bielefeld’s inspiring run to the final, and what these moments might mean for each club’s future.