Summary

  • Saarbrucken are first fourth-tier side to ever reach German Cup semis

  • Their last game was 7 March - league has been curtailed

  • Leverkusen are fifth in Bundesliga

  • Bayern Munich host Eintracht Frankfurt in other semi on Wednesday

Live Reporting

Emlyn Begley

  1. 'There's always a chance'

    Saarbrucken v Bayer Leverkusen (19:45 BST)

    I spoke to Kianz Froese on a video call from the team hotel where Saarbrucken have gone into quaratine for the last week.

    "The feelings after winning every game get more heightened. These are feelings you can only experience in sport. Moments like this, we will carry with us for our entire lives," the Canada international said.

    "We're just focused on one game - 90 minutes. We've got to give our all, fight and see what happens. The odds are in their favour.

    "We're the underdogs. It's nice to make history and do things which haven't been done before. Everything is achievable and to be played for. That's the mentality we're going into the game with.

    "This is the biggest game of everybody's career. I think there's a chance. There's always a chance."

  2. The legends of Saarbrucken's run

    Saarbrucken v Bayer Leverkusen (19:45 BST)

    Who have been some of the stars of the run?

    Gillian Jurcher has scored three of their seven goals.

    Goalkeeper Daniel Batz became the first keeper to save four penalties in a German Cup shootout in their last round against Fortuna Dusseldorf. He has saved six in total in the cup this season.

    Kianz Froese has assisted four goals - the first player from below the Bundesliga to ever set up as many goals in a German Cup season.

    Daniel BatzGetty Images

  3. Saarbrucken v Bayer Leverkusen (19:45 BST)

    But then came the big twist - the global coronavirus pandemic.

    The Regionalliga Sudwest has been finished early, with Saarbrucken named champions and promoted to 3 Liga.

    Bayer Leverkusen have played five games since the Bundesliga restarted last month - but this is Saarbrucken's first game in 94 days.

    On top of that, they will not be roared on by almost 7,000 fans as they were in the previous rounds.

  4. The ultimate fairytale

    Saarbrucken v Bayer Leverkusen (19:45 BST)

    Saarbrucken celebrateGetty Images

    Saarbrucken's run to the German Cup semi-final has been the stuff of legend.

    The fourth tier side - who had to win last year's regional cup to qualify for the German Cup - have dumped two Bundesliga sides and two second tier teams out to reach this stage.

    All four wins have been through either last-minute winners in 3-2 victories or on penalties.

    And now here they are, the first ever team from the fourth tier to reach the last four of the German Cup.

    Read more about their cup run here.