Hannover keep their nerve

By Mark Bennett

Hannover 96 and holders Werder Bremen won dramatic German Cup third-round matches while DSC Arminia Bielefeld picked up a comfortable victory to join their Bundesliga rivals in the quarter-finals.

Penalty misses
Silvio Schröter gave Hannover the lead at home to BV Borussia Dortmund just before the hour mark, but two penalties in the final eight minutes led to an exciting finale. First Thomas Christiansen missed the chance to double Hannover's lead, but two minutes later Ewerthon failed to convert for Dortmund and his side were beaten 1-0.

Bremen relief
Meanwhile, Bremen needed extra time to defeat second division SV Eintracht Trier 05. Daniel Jansen gave Bremen an early lead but early in the second half Antun Labak equalised and the score remained 1-1 at 90 minutes. But just before the end of the first period of the additional half-hour Jensen struck again and in added time Ivan Klasnic ensured a 3-1 victory for the German champions.

Arminia landmark
Arminia had an easier task as they reached the last eight for the first time, overcoming 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher SC 4-0. Ervin Skela opened Arminia's account in the fifth minute and in the early stages of the second half Detlef Dammeier and Delron Buckley increased the lead. Skela scored again 18 minutes from the end to confirm the triumph.

Bayern reserves win
FC Bayern München's amateur side are also through after beating TSV Eintracht Braunschweig 3-0, including two goals for Paolo Guerrero, who scored for the first time in the Bundesliga for the professional team against Hannover on Saturday. Bayern's senior selection welcome VfB Stuttgart tomorrow, when FC Schalke 04 travel to Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Hansa Rostock visit LR Ahlen and SC Freiburg go to SC Paderborn.