Trio progress to Cup semis

Second-league team Greuther Fürth held on to a 1-0 lead to beat a 10-man Hoffenheim and advance to the semifinals of the German Cup on Wednesday. It's the first time in the team's history they have made it this far in the competition.

Greuther Fürth went a man up in the 36th minute after Hoffenheim's Marvin Compper was shown a straight red after a foul on Robert Zillner. Compper's case wasn't helped when he delivered a slap to Fürth's Stephan Fürstner in the argument that ensued.

Shortly before halftime, it was Olivier Occean who put the underdogs ahead, embarrassing Hoffenheim's defense right in the middle of the area before easily slotting past Hoffenheim keeper Tom Stark.

Greuther Fürth's coach, Mike Büskens, was eagerly looking forward to the semifinal match after the game.

"I told the guys they were playing for the game of their lives," he said, "and now we've got it. What these guys have accomplished is sensational."

His counterpart from Hoffenheim, Holger Stanislawski, said his team did all they could.

"This is very disappointing for us because we played a really good game," he said. "Even with ten men, we were the better team and had enough chances. The guys put it all on the line."

Gladbach holds out for extra time win

Meanwhile in Berlin, capital-side Hertha Berlin held their own for ninety minutes against league-leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach but a red card in extra time ended up costing them the game.

After going scoreless for two halves in regulation, the first half of extra time was nearing its end when Gladbach's Igor de Camargo chased down a ball into the area. Hertha's keeper Thomas Kraft collected the ball, but de Camargo collided with Hertha's Roman Hubnik, who picked himself off the pitch and got in de Camargo's face about the collision.

Video replays showed Hubnik's face gently come in contact with de Camargo's head in the argument, but Hubnik was given a red card when de Camargo went sprawling to the ground. Gladbach's Filip Daems converted the ensuing penalty in the 101st minute to put his side up 1-0.

Oscar Wendt added an extra goal for the visitors for a final score of 2-0.

After the game, Hertha's coach Michael Skibbe didn't mince words when it came to evaluating referee Felix Brych's decision to give a red card.

"What the ref whistled in extra time was the absolute capstone," Skibbe said wryly. "There were 50,000 people in the stadium, and no one saw [a head butt]. Mr. Brych is the only person in Germany who would have whistled a penalty. Unbelievable."

Bayern breeze through

In Wednesday's late game, giants Bayern Munich eased into the semis with a confident 2-0 win at Stuttgart.

The Bavarians, who have won only one of their past three league matches, took the lead in the 30th minute when Frenchman Franck Ribery latched onto a Thomas Müller pass into box.

Former Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez made it two for the visitors within minutes of the second-half hooter when he pounced on a rebound.

Of potential concern for Bayern was an ankle injury sustained by star Bastian Schweinsteiger, who limped off the field early in the first half. Bayern Sporting Director Christian Nerlinger said it was hoped the Germany international has only sustained a "capsule injury."

dfm/mz/ccp/slk (DPA, SID)