Can Demirovic Find Redemption in the German Cup Final After 2022 Heartbreak?

Berlin (Germany), May 22 (NationPress) As the 2025 German Cup final draws near, Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic is grappling with a mix of emotions. Now at 27 years old, the Bosnia international still vividly remembers the agony of the 2022 final, where his penalty strike hit the crossbar during the shootout while representing Freiburg. He acknowledges that this miss might linger in his mind forever.

"Since then," Demirovic stated, "I have developed empathy for anyone facing the pressure of taking a penalty."

In the May 2022 final, Freiburg's aspirations ended in disappointment against Leipzig, partially due to Demirovic's unsuccessful penalty attempt.

This Saturday's showdown at Berlin's Olympic Stadium offers a chance for redemption. Stuttgart will face third-tier Arminia Bielefeld in a match Demirovic insists will not be underestimated, as reported by Xinhua.

"A top-tier team facing a lower-division side doesn't alter the stakes," he remarked. "It may sound clichéd, but it's true: cup finals operate under their own unique rules and dynamics."

Despite Stuttgart being labeled as heavy favorites, especially after bouncing back from a mid-season slump, Demirovic cautioned against any sense of complacency. "While we may seem like the frontrunners after avoiding a league season low, every minute of these 90 or more minutes is a battle between equals," he noted.

Demirovic hopes to steer clear of another nerve-wracking penalty shootout—though he asserts he would be prepared to step up again if necessary.

"If the situation arises again, I would definitely take that shot," he said. "The opportunity to constantly start anew, regardless of past outcomes, is one of the beautiful aspects of football."

The striker emphasizes that this match symbolizes a fresh beginning. "I am now with a different club, and I have successfully taken penalties since that miss," he explained. "This game feels like a second chance—at least it presents a new opportunity."

Demirovic also resisted the notion that Bielefeld are underdogs, given their impressive record of eliminating four Bundesliga teams on their journey to the final.

"Remember the teams they have defeated," he asserted. "One might get lucky in a single match, but knocking out Freiburg, Werder Bremen, Union Berlin, and Bayer Leverkusen? That's no mere stroke of luck."

His teammate, Germany international Deniz Undav, highlighted the importance of the event. "Competing in a final like this feels akin to facing Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the league or Champions League," Undav remarked. "A cup final is something truly monumental."

For Demirovic and Stuttgart, Saturday represents an opportunity to forge new memories and finally move forward from the shadow of a past missed chance.