German Cup: Hamburg again against Heidenheim / Bavarian duel
The paths of the Hamburg Stealers and the Heidenheim Heideköpfe crossed in the playoff quarter-finals (Photo: Kalle Linkert)
The hunt for the Bundesliga championship for the southern favorites from Regensburg and Heidenheim has ended in a disappointing and dramatic manner. Now the two top teams of the regular season have a second chance at a title. In the quarter-finals of the German Cup, the Heideköpfe will face a repeat of the playoff quarter-finals with the Hamburg Stealers. On Saturday (6 p.m.) on the Brenz, the Hanseatics will initially enjoy home advantage before host Heidenheim strikes on Sunday (from 12 p.m.). In Regensburg, the Guggenberger Legionäre will meet the Munich-Haar Disciples for a Bavarian duel. The “best-of-three” series begins on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Like in the playoff quarterfinals
The Hamburg Stealers still have a score to settle. The ambitious Hanseatics lost 0-3 in the first round of the playoffs without a win against the Heideköpfe. The third-placed team in the north is therefore looking for revenge. In the opening match of the German Cup, coach David Wohlgemuth’s team clearly beat the Mainz Athletics (8-2, 14-1).
Heidenheim wants to return to Europe
For Heidenheim, the mission to defend their title in the Bundesliga ended in a spectacular fashion last weekend. Bonn sealed the Baden-Württemberg team’s demise with a grand slam home run by walkoff. The German Cup is now set to take the Heideköpfe back to Europe via a detour. Last year, the championship served as qualification.
Defending champions back in the German Cup
The Guggenberg Legionnaires, who are hosting the final of the Baseball European Champions Cup in the inaugural season, also want to return to European competition. In order to be represented internationally in 2025, the Regensburg team must quickly digest the disappointment of being knocked out in the semi-finals of the playoffs. The defending German Cup champions only lost to Paderborn in the first extra inning of the fifth game.
Munich-Haar wants to annoy local rivals
The Munich-Haar Disciples are likely to be highly motivated for their latest encounter with their local rivals. During regular playing time, the Bavarian opponents had one or two heated duels. The “Youngsters” left the field as winners two out of six times. In the first round of the cup, the Upper Bavarians eliminated the Cologne Cardinals 2-0 (7-5, 6-1).
2024-09-05 15:02:00