In a thrilling cup encounter held at Berlin on 8th September 2024, Delay Sports Berlin emerged victorious against SF Kladow with a final score of 3-1. The match, which kicked off at 12:20 pm, showcased a blend of skill, strategy, and determination from both sides, but it was Delay Sports who ultimately secured their place in the next round of the competition.
Delay Sports Berlin lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a tactical setup that allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing ample support for their attacking players. Frederik Mittelstädt took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Deniz-Kaan Hirik on the right, Sky-Vincent Tloczynski and Sebastian Gick in central defence, and Alexander Letz on the left. The midfield was anchored by Julius Nissle and Niklas Jahn, who were tasked with controlling the tempo and distributing the ball effectively. Ahead of them, Jeffrey Kania and Dorian Fischer operated as right and left attacking midfielders respectively, while Sidney Friede played centrally, supporting striker Pascal Brossmann.
The substitutes for Delay Sports included Michael Dada, Timo Schlitt, Paul Beckmann, Eleftherios Ilias, and Tim Wieland, providing the coach with a range of options to change the dynamics of the game as required.
The match began with an early breakthrough for Delay Sports when Pascal Brossmann converted a penalty in the 12th minute, giving his side a crucial lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as SF Kladow responded just five minutes later, equalising with a goal that sent their supporters into raptures.
As the first half progressed, the intensity of the match increased, leading to a flurry of yellow cards. Sebastian Gick received a caution in the 16th minute, followed by a further two yellow cards issued to Delay Sports players, with Julius Nissle being booked just before half-time. The first half concluded with the score level at 1-1, setting the stage for a gripping second half.
The second half saw Delay Sports come out with renewed vigour. Jeffrey Kania was shown a yellow card in the 54th minute, but this did not deter the team's momentum. A tactical substitution was made shortly after, with Michael Dada replacing Nissle in the 56th minute, aiming to bolster the midfield.
As the match approached the final quarter, Delay Sports made further changes, introducing Timo Schlitt, Paul Beckmann, and Eleftherios Ilias in quick succession to inject fresh energy into the team. The substitutions proved pivotal, as the home side began to dominate possession and create more opportunities.
In the 87th minute, Timo Schlitt found the back of the net with a well-placed shot, assisted by Sidney Friede, putting Delay Sports ahead 2-1. Just two minutes later, Brossmann struck again, doubling his tally for the match and sealing the victory with another assist from Friede.
As the match drew to a close, Tim Wieland came on for Brossmann in the 90th minute, but the damage had already been done. Delay Sports Berlin celebrated a well-deserved 3-1 victory, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess, while SF Kladow were left to reflect on missed opportunities. The win not only secures their progression in the cup but also boosts their confidence heading into the next fixtures.