Keeper saves five penalties as Fourth-tier Saarbrucken reach German Cup semis with Fortuna Dusseldorf shock

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:16 am

Saarbrucken became the first fourth division side to reach the German cup semifinals with a 7-6 penalty shootout win over top tier opponents Fortuna Dusseldorf on Tuesday as the match ended 1-1 after normal and extra time.

Goalkeeper Daniel Batz was Saarbrucken's hero as he saved five penalties, one in normal time and four in the shootout, to send his side through and spark wild celebrations among the jubilant home fans.

Daniel Batz had an epic performance to help lowly Saarbrucken reach the German Cup semis over Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Midfielder Tobias Janicke fired Saarbrucken ahead in the 31st minute with a neat finish before Mathias Jorgensen levelled with a late header to force extra time after Batz had kept out a Rouwen Hennings penalty.

Fortuna missed two chances to win the shootout as Batz denied Kevin Stoger and Matthias Zimmermann and then saved Jorgensen's spot-kick after Janicke had drilled in Saarbrucken's final penalty.

Holders Bayern Munich beat Schalke in the evening's other fixture. Bayer Leverkusen entertain Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt are at home to Werder Bremen in Wednesday's quarterfinals.