DFB POKAL FINAL PLAYER RATINGS | Arminia Bielefeld 2-4 VfB Stuttgart | OneFootball

A game for the neutral, as either we see Arminia Bielefeld, a third division side, win their first ever major trophy, or we see VfB Stuttgart end their 18-year major trophy drought.

The Pokal final is an occasion, both sets of fans pull out all the stops when it comes to their tifo game, and today was no different.

However, the occasion seemed to get to Bielefeld.

First, they witnessed the cruelty of football as in the first half, they had the first big chance of the game as Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee is left isolated in the Stuttgart box and hits the crossbar. Right after, Stuttgart went down the other end and equalised through the man of the moment in Nick Woltemade. Bielefeld then started to fold. Stuttgart would score their second when a mix-up in Bielefeld’s defence allowed Deniz Undav and Enzo Millot through on goal, which the Frenchman converted. Then the third saw Bielefeld’s Maximilian Großer carry the ball too far, as he was disposed of by Angelo Stiller, who played through Undav to make it 3-0.

BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 24: Deniz Undav of VfB Stuttgart celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the DFB Cup Final 2025 between DSC Arminia Bielefeld and VfB Stuttgart at Olympiastadion on May 24, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

After the third, Bielefeld gained some control of the game for the remainder of the second half, but seemed shellshocked in defence and were unable to create any meaningful chances, to give them a tiny piece of hope heading into the second half.

The second half obviously lacked the energy that the first half had, as both teams seemingly had accepted the result. Stuttgart would make it 4-0 in the 66th minute when Millot was played through for his second of the game. However, the game took an interesting turn in the 80th minute when substitute Julian Kania scored to make it 4-1, then minutes later Josha Vagnoman scored a comical own goal to make it 4-2 and give Bielefeld hope of a comeback.

However, it was too little, too late for Bielefeld as Stuttgart managed to see out the game, even with a hairy moment that caused Alexander Nübel to make a point-blank save right at the end of the game.

Stuttgart ends their 18-year wait for a major trophy.

The way VfB ended their drought was also very impressive. Their attacking quartet combined well, despite seeing less of the ball they were always in control and Angelo Stiller was a standout in midfield, as not only was he strong on the defensive end, he showed his outstanding passing ability to assist two of the goals, all while playing his first game back after injury.

In a season where the Swabians have performed below par, this really makes it all meaningless, as not only are Stuttgart in the Europa League, but they also have won a trophy. Qualifying for Europe will help Stuttgart continue on a positive trajectory as they rebuild to the club that they are meant to be. With the quality at their disposal, they should be able to make a deep run in the competition next season, whilst also finishing higher than ninth next season.

For Sebastian Hoeneß, this is the statement maker. Everyone knows he is a very good coach and probably one of the best young German coaches around, but now, this should take him up a level, as it shows he is a winner as well.  The last Stuttgart coach to win the DFB-Pokal was Joachim Löw, I wonder what ever happened to him.

The positive, at least one side of the Hoeneß family, won this week.

Looking at the bigger picture, the journey Stuttgart has been one has been a wild one. Three years ago, Wataru Endo scored a late winner to help them avoid relegation, two years ago they beat Hamburg in the relegation playoff, a year ago they finished second, six months ago they gave Real Madrid a run for their money at the Bernabeu, now they are DFB Pokal winners. If things continue as they are for Stuttgart, this should be the beginning of a very fun and potentially successful time for one of the biggest clubs in Germany.

Bielefeld put up a good fight in the second half, but by the time they managed to compose themselves, there was not enough time left. They will also rue the chance that hit the crossbar in the first half; if that had gone in, the game would have completely changed. However, for Bielefeld, it’s not the end of the world, next season they will be back in the 2.Bundesliga and also have the Westphalia Cup on Thursday.

Arminia Bielefeld:

Jonas Kersken (6), Felix Hagmann (5), Leon Schneider (4), Stefano Russo (4), Louis Oppie (5), Sam Schreck (5), Maximilian Großer (4), Mael Croboz (5), Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee (5), Joel Grodowski (5), Marius Wörl (5)

Others: Isaiah Young (5), Christopher Lannert (5), Joel Felix (5), Julian Kania (-), Lukas Kunze (-)

VfB Stuttgart:

Alexander Nübel (6), Josha Vagnoman (6), Luca Jaquez (6), Jeff Chabot (6), Maximilian Mittelstädt (6), Atakan Karazor (6), Angelo Stiller (8), Enzo Millot (8), Deniz Undav (8), Chris Führich (6), Nick Woltemade (7)

Others: Ramon Hendriks (5), Ermedin Demirovic (5), Finn Jeltsch (5), Niklas Nartey (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Deniz Undav (8)

Like most of Stuttgart, Undav has struggled this season, mainly in finding form. At one point, the 28-year-old went eight games without a goal, but in recent weeks, he has found himself again, and this evening was proof of that. Undav created the most chances of the game (four) and was also strong on the defensive end. The striker was able to show an unselfish side to his game when squaring the ball for the second goal.

Hopefully, this performance can be used as a launch pad for the 28-year-old to rediscover his form from last season, next year.

GGFN | Jack Meenan