The VfB Stuttgart will defend their DFB-Pokal crown against Bayern Munich in Berlin on May 23 after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over SC Freiburg that was decided in the 119th minute by a spectacular back-heel from substitute Tiago Tomas. The Portuguese forward, introduced at the start of extra time, converted a cross from fellow substitute Baredine Bouanani with a piece of improvisation that left Stuttgart’s manager Sebastian Hoeneß, widely regarded as a man of few words, later describing the evening as an “emotional overload”. The win was far from routine.

Freiburg had taken a first-half lead through Maximilian Eggestein and appeared to have the measure of the champions until Deniz Undav levelled with twenty minutes of normal time remaining. The physical toll on the Stuttgart players was visible; shortly before extra time, midfielder Bilal El Khannouss collapsed onto the turf and vomited, prompting teammate Undav to cover his face and summon the medical staff. El Khannouss was able to continue, a minor symbol of the resilience that has become the hallmark of Hoeneß’s side.

Viewed from Stuttgart, the victory carries more significance than simply a second consecutive trip to the Olympiastadion. The result also reshapes the Bundesliga’s European qualification picture. By confirming that both finalists have already secured Champions League places through their league positions, Stuttgart’s triumph automatically reallocates the Europa League slot reserved for the cup winner to the league table.

This means RB Leipzig, who had already clinched a Conference League berth, are now promoted to the Europa League without kicking a ball on matchday – a development noted with quiet satisfaction in Leipzig, though their immediate focus remains on securing Champions League football. From the perspective of Arabic-language football coverage, the late drama was framed as a classic cup encounter, with Tomas’s goal described as a “deadly strike” that sets up a mouthwatering final. Analysts in Berlin now anticipate a clash of contrasting styles.

Bayern, runaway league leaders, will enter as overwhelming favourites, but Stuttgart have demonstrated an uncanny ability to produce their best football under pressure. The final, Hoeneß said after the semi-final, “proved a quality this club has never shown before” – a reference to Stuttgart’s record of three successive cup final appearances for the first time in their history. The narrative heading into May 23 is clear: a resurgent champion against the perennial powerhouse, with European pride and a trophy on the line.