In an unexpected turn of events during the Hessenpokal quarter-finals, Kickers Offenbach faced an overwhelming defeat against the visiting SV Wehen Wiesbaden, who showcased their dominance with a 4-0 victory on March 19, 2025. This match, held at the stadium am Bieberer Berg, drew a crowd of 6,261 spectators, eager to support their home team and hopeful for a strong showing in the cup.
The game started lively, with OFC aiming to regain their winning form following a disappointing draw against Eintracht Trier. Early on, in the 6th minute, Offenbach's striker, Valdrin Mustafa, nearly netted the opening goal but his shot narrowly missed the left post, giving fans a glimpse of potential. However, it was the visitors who struck first when Moritz Flotho found the net in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Kickers.
As the match progressed, the home squad attempted to bounce back with several chances. In the 24th minute, a promising move saw the ball directed to Mustafa, but the Wehen goalkeeper Florian Stritzel intercepted his effort. Following that, Thieme Goppel extended Wiesbaden’s lead in the 42nd minute, finishing a well-crafted move with a deft chip over the advancing Offenbach keeper, Lucas Becker.
Despite Offenbach's attempts to regain momentum, the second half saw SV Wehen Wiesbaden further asserting their control of the game. In the 55th minute, Nikolas Agrafiotis unleashed a spectacular shot from the left corner of the penalty area, putting the game at 3-0. It became evident that OFC struggled to respond to the visitors’ tactical execution and attacking prowess.
The final indignity came in the 70th minute when substitute Nick Bätzner completed the drubbing, scoring the fourth goal after a rebound, sealing a 4-0 win for the guests. This exit was a disheartening blow to Kickers Offenbach, who were hoping to defend their title as the Hessenpokal champions.
Post-match, OFC manager Christian Neidhart reflected on the performance, acknowledging the team’s weaknesses: “We failed to capitalize on our chances and were punished by our mistakes,” he noted, stressing the need for improvements ahead of their upcoming league matches.
Looking ahead, Kickers Offenbach will shift their focus back to Regionalliga Südwest, where they are slated to face Stuttgarter Kickers on March 22, 2025, at 14:00. Neidhart emphasized the importance of regrouping: “We have to learn quickly and bounce back. There's much at stake in the league,” he added, underlining the urgency for his squad to find form after this disappointing cup exit.
On the other side of the pitch, SV Wehen Wiesbaden celebrated their decisive victory. Coach Nils Döring had made several tactical adjustments compared to their last game at Hannover 96, where they also experienced a good result. Döring stated, “The boys executed the game plan excellently. They showed resilience and skill,” reflecting satisfaction with his team’s performance and their advancement to the semi-finals.
SV Wehen Wiesbaden have certainly set a formidable tone for their next match against FSV Frankfurt in the Hessenpokal semi-final, scheduled for April 29, 2025. This impressive win positions them as strong contenders for the cup, where they aim to secure their first Hessenpokal title in club history.
With the departure of the reigning champions from the tournament, the landscape of the Hessenpokal continues to evolve, promising exciting matches ahead as teams vie for supremacy in regional football.
