Holstein Kiel in the Cup Round of 16: Rothenhagen Becomes a Hero

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Holstein Kiel in the Cup Round of 16: Rothenhagen Becomes a Hero.

At 11:34 p.m., Lio Rothenhagen saves the DFB Cup for Holstein Kiel with a diving save. The 20-year-old goalkeeper stopped Mats Rots’ penalty after the second-round match against TSG Hoffenheim remained level following 90 minutes, extra time and a penalty shootout. The second-tier side is now through to the round of 16 as the only northern club in the competition.

For you as a Kiel fan, this is a double triumph: The club has knocked a Bundesliga side out of the cup, and one of its youngsters has stepped up in the decisive moment. Rothenhagen, usually the number two at Kiel behind Timon Weiner, was named in the starting lineup for the cup tie specifically by coach Tim Walter.

The 1:1 equalizer after 22 minutes changed the game

Early deficit, late turnaround

Holstein Kiel initially struggled to get on top of the game. In the fifth minute, midfielder Adrian Kapralik presented a good opportunity. TSG striker Adam Hlozek then scored for 0:1 after a volley from Rothenhagen. The game appeared to turn when Tim Lemperle celebrated Hoffenheim’s second goal shortly before halftime. However, the VAR check revealed an offside, meaning the goal did not count.

The response came immediately. Hiroki Sekine sent Kapralik down the right wing. The 24-year-old Slovak left Bernardo standing and curled a shot into the far corner for 1:1. Kapralik was therefore involved in both of Kiel’s goals and had also occupied large parts of Hoffenheim’s defense.

Holstein remained without an equalizer until halftime. In the 45+2nd minute, Phil Harres had a clear opportunity but failed to beat Luca Philipp from one-on-one. Extra time then brought chances for Bernardo (100th), Giorgi Kvilitaia (104th), Fisnik Asllani (119th) and Harres once more (120th). None of these moments changed the scoreline.

Why Rothenhagen became the cup hero

The decisive save at 11:34 p.m.

In the penalty shootout, the usually reserve goalkeeper became the center of attention. Leon Avdullahu shot over the crossbar, while Giorgi Kvilitaia hit the post for Holstein. When Kiel won 4:3, it was Rothenhagen once again who saved Mats Rots’ final penalty. That save settled the outcome at the Holstein Stadium.

Coach Tim Walter explained the selection: “I have two outstanding goalkeepers. Timon is our number one, and he will remain our number one, but in the cup, Lio always plays.” For Rothenhagen himself, the end of the match was especially important: “Of course, it is perfect if it then comes down to a penalty shootout.”

Walter praised not only the goalkeeper but the entire team. He said: “They did really well. You are perhaps the underdog, but you are never without a chance. At home, we are unbeaten.” And on the result: “Today, we are simply just lucky.”

The cup victory fits Kiel’s extraordinary season

Holstein Kiel was the only one of the five eliminated clubs to remain

The victory over Hoffenheim came in a cup week in which HSV and Werder Bremen had already been eliminated on Tuesday. The Regionalliga side SSV Jeddeloh II and the second-tier clubs VfL Wolfsburg and Hannover 96 followed on Wednesday. Kiel is therefore through to the round of 16 as the only northern club.

The draw for the round-of-16 pairings takes place on Sunday on Sportschau at 7:15 p.m. The next round will be played on December 1 and 2. However, Kiel’s next match is already on Sunday: The second-tier side travels to Greuther Fürth at 1:30 p.m.

You can find the full reports from NDR and Sportschau.