DFB-Pokal

Pokal-expert Heyer on advancing to the next round

Moritz Heyer knows what it takes to survive in the DFB-Pokal. Of the 15 times he has played in the competition, he and his team have made it through to the next round on 11 of these occasions. The man from Lower Saxony also has previous experience of facing upcoming cup opponents Meppen.

It all kicks off tomorrow in the 2024/25 DFB-Pokal, with the first four fixtures taking place, including the tie of the round between newly-promoted second-tier side SSV Ulm 1846 and the German cup’s record holders FC Bayern München (20 titles). It is very much a David-vs.-Goliath prospect. Meanwhile, Hamburger SV get underway in the much-loved national competition on Sunday evening, with their first ever match at SV Meppen (kick-off 18:00 CEST).

Moritz Heyer will be particularly fired up, as per usual. The 29-year-old versatile defender is regarded as the cup expert in the Rothosen squad. Not only for his 15 DFB-Pokal matches, which few in the squad can top, and 17 further appearances in regional cups, but mainly for the fact that “Mo” knows how to get through to the next round of the DFB-Pokal. After all, the competition’s motto is “winner stays on!” Heyer has exited the pitch victorious on 11 of his 15 DFB-Pokal outings. He and his teams prevailed five times in penalty shoot-outs alone, most recently in the 2023/24 second-round tie at Arminia Bielefeld, when Heyer converted from the spot to make it 5-4. The defender did not play in the subsequent round of 16 tie at Hertha BSC (5-3 loss on penalties), which was a major annoyance for HSV, but one that did not tarnish the defender’s impressive cup record.

Assured from the spot: Heyer left the field victorious in his previous match in the DFB-Pokal.

“Every game is a final”

It is no surprise that the 29-year-old is looking forward to the upcoming tie against SV Meppen: “The special thing about the cup is that everyone can beat everyone. Every game is a final, because it can go to extra time and penalties.” Heyer knows the feeling of causing a cup upset, going into a fixture as the underdog but coming out on top against a favoured opponent. In the 2016/17 DFB-Pokal, he was part of the third-tier Sportfreunde Lotte side to reach the quarter-final where they were eventually knocked out by Borussia Dortmund (3-0). Then, five years later, he and second-tier Hamburger SV reached the semi-final of the competition, but were then defeated 3-1 by SC Freiburg. “Teams from lower leagues are particularly motivated when they face a higher-class opponent. There’s always an incentive to compete against strong opponents. As a supposed underdog, you have nothing to lose and can play freely,” says Heyer, speaking from his own experience and indirectly warning of the upcoming first-round duel with fourth-division opponents SV Meppen.

Heyer is not only the cup expert for the Rothosen, but also the Meppen expert. Born in Ostercappeln and raised in Bramsche, the versatile player, who primarily learned his trade at VfL Osnabrück, is not only familiar with the cult club from Emsland, around 100 kilometers away from his hometown, but has also played four competitive matches against SVM with his former clubs Sportfreunde Lotte (D1, L1) and Hallescher FC (W2). Heyer therefore knows what he and his teammates can expect on Lathener Straße in Meppen. “The Häntsch Arena is a real cauldron. It’s a compact and very loud stadium with euphoric fans. The games there have always been difficult and I expect the same from this match.” According to Heyer, a “focused performance” is required to survive this trip to face a lower-league opponent. If they can manage to do that, then he is optimistic that they will advance to the second round of the competition. If anyone knows how to do it, it’s HSV’s “Mr. Pokal.”