Stuttgart beat Leipzig to reach German Cup final

Stuttgart set up a German Cup final clash with third-division Arminia Bielefeld after a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Under the watchful eyes of Jurgen Klopp, the new head of global soccer for Leipzig's owners Red Bull, the visitors were outclassed by a strong Stuttgart side.

Goals from Angelo Stiller, Nick Woltemade and Jamie Leweling took Stuttgart to victory, putting them on track for a first German Cup triumph since 1997.

The victory continues Stuttgart's rise since former Leipzig youth-team coach Sebastian Hoeness took over in April 2023.

"We're going to Berlin," Hoeness told Germany's ZDF. "Unbelievable. The lads are unbelievable... it's incredible. It's a dream to travel to Berlin. We rewarded ourselves with goals at the right moment and when we needed to we defended with passion."

The coach ended his post-match interview early before sprinting across the field to have his picture taken with the rest of the squad in front of the club's ecstatic home fans.

Hoeness has become one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe, having led Stuttgart from relegation candidates to runners-up last season, and now the German Cup final.

The five-time German champions and three-time cup winners will be heavy favorites in Berlin in May, against a Bielefeld side who stunned holders Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.