Stuttgart stunned by Carl Zeiss Jena

Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart were knocked out of the German Cup by 2. Bundesliga side FC Carl Zeiss Jena on penalties while BV Borussia Dortmund progessed.

Last chance
Runners-up in last year's competition, Stuttgart went into Tuesday night's quarter-final knowing the domestic cup represented their last realistic chance of silverware this season after finishing last in their UEFA Champions League group and lying eighth in the Bundesliga. Despite being at home, they went behind to a Tobias Werner goal after half an hour and had to wait until the 80th minute before levelling when Mario Gómez struck.

Costly error
The tie went into extra time and although Gómez added a second within five minutes of the restart, Robert Müller equalised in added time following an error from home goalkeeper Sven Ulreich to force penalties. After Antonio da Silva missed Stuttgart's fourth penalty, Torsten Ziegner stepped up to make it 5-4 and take the eastern German club into the semi-finals.

Borussia through
Meanwhile, BV Borussia Dortmund eased into the semi-finals with a 3-1 home win over 2. Bundesliga outfit TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Two goals in three first-half minutes gave the top-flight side a comfortable lead and although the away side halved the deficit seven minutes before half-time, Mladen Petrić's strike nine minutes into the second half sealed the win. Giovanni Federico, Dortmund's 27-year-old Italian midfielder, made the breakthrough in the 20th minute and Brazilian Tinga doubled the lead soon after.  Hoffenheim’s Spanish striker Francisco Copado struck from the penalty spot but the second division side were ultimately finished off by Petrić's effort.