Definition
The 2003–04 DFB-Pokal was the 61st season of Germany's premier knockout football cup competition, officially known as the DFB-Pokal. Organized by the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund, DFB), the tournament featured clubs from across the German football league system in a single-elimination format.
Overview
The 2003–04 DFB-Pokal began on 30 August 2003 with the first round and concluded on 29 May 2004 with the final held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. A total of 64 teams participated, including clubs from the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, Regionalliga, and lower divisions, along with winners of regional football association cup competitions. The tournament's structure consisted of six rounds culminating in a single-match final.
The eventual winner was SV Werder Bremen, who defeated Alemannia Aachen 3–2 in the final. This victory secured Werder Bremen a spot in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, provided they had not already qualified for the UEFA Champions League via league performance. Werder Bremen also won the Bundesliga title in the same season, achieving a domestic double.
Etymology/Origin
The term "DFB-Pokal" is derived from "Deutscher Fußball-Bund Pokal," meaning German Football Association Cup. The competition has been held since 1935, originally as the Tschammerpokal, and was renamed after the re-establishment of the DFB in the post-World War II era. The hyphenated format "DFB-Pokal" has been standard since the 1950s.
Characteristics
- The 2003–04 edition followed the standard DFB-Pokal format: single-elimination, with matches decided in 90 minutes. Ties were subject to 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
- The draw was conducted without seeding after the first round, increasing the likelihood of early matchups between top-tier and amateur clubs.
- Home advantage in early rounds was typically granted to lower-division teams.
- Broadcast rights were held by national broadcasters, primarily ARD and ZDF in Germany.
Related Topics
- Bundesliga
- DFB (German Football Association)
- SV Werder Bremen
- Alemannia Aachen
- German football cup competitions
- UEFA Cup qualification criteria
- 2003–04 Bundesliga season