Leverkusen miss out again

Bayer 04 Leverkusen warmed up for the UEFA Champions League final in the worst possible way as they went down 4-2 to FC Schalke 04 in the final of the German Cup.

Miss out again
After losing their lead at the top of the 1. Bundesliga to gift the title to BV Borussia Dortmund, Klaus Toppmöller's side were totally outplayed by Schalke in their last game before the Champions League final against Real Madrid CF at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

Fourth time for Schalke
While Leverkusen added weight to their reputation as the nearly men of German soccer, holders Schalke lived up to their tag as cup specialists by lifting the trophy for the fourth time. Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring from close range in the 27th minute for Leverkusen, who have not put their hands on any silverware since winning the German Cup for the first time in 1993.

Second-half rout
Schalke equalised with a superb free-kick from midfielder Jörg Böhme just before the break and then stepped up a gear with three goals in the second half. Nigerian striker Victor Agali gave them the lead from a counter-attack in the 69th minute before veteran midfielder Andreas Möller added another two minutes later.

Kirsten consolation
Denmark striker Ebbe Sand put the issue beyond doubt with six minutes remaining and Leverkusen had given up hope when substitute Ulf Kirsten pulled a goal back with one minute of normal time remaining.