Our next opponents: SC Hauenstein in the DFB Cup

The small club from the Palatinate is am unknown factor for many people but last season they were coached by no-one less than World Cup winner Jürgen Kohler. However, Kohler will not be on the bench at the weekend for the DFB Cup tie as he has left the club. His successor, the aims of the club and how the team approaches the “game of their lives” are revealed in our assessment of our next opponents.

Position

It could have been the perfect season for SCH. After a second runners-up spot in the Oberliga in succession the play-offs offered a great chance to secure promotion to the fourth-tier Regional League. A last-minute goal saw FC Nöttingen celebrate. It remains to be seen whether it’s third time lucky this term. As compensation, Hauenstein won the state cup competition to qualify for the DFB Cup. At the same time it was a successful night for the coach Jürgen Kohler.

Personnel

The change of coaching staff was the most important move. Kohler, World Cup winner, Champions League winner and later on sporting director at Bayer 04 moved on to Middle Rhine League club VfL Alfter with Thomas Fichtner taking over as coach. Otherwise, the strength of the team remains the lot of the Cup-winning group. Lucas Oppermann, who helped Worms cause a cup upset in 2012 in the 2-1 first round win against Hertha BSC (2:1), and fist team keeper Sebastian Grub are key players who have moved on. Grub’s designated successor Mario Miltner surprisingly left the club recently.

Problems

Can there be any for a lower league club ahead of a DFB Cup tie? Perhaps the fact SCH go into the game as underdogs. Hauenstein have lost their first two games of the season and are not at their home ground in Neding but a good 20 kilometres further on at the Sportpark Husterhöhe in Pirmasens but there is still great excitement at SCH.

Potential

There are no doubts at the club: “This game is the biggest in the club’s history.” There has been a year’s work in Hauenstein and the motivation is there for the first round match. And who knows: There have been one or two cup upsets in the past. The Werkself will have something to say about that.

Prediction

Everything in Hauenstein is focussed on this game. The club have even produced a special cup kit. All should be in place for when the Werkself come to Pirmasens. The match will show what’s possible on the pitch. It will definitely be a great experience for everybody involved.