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Draw in first leg still leaves U19s in with every chance
"It remains a 50-50 game," explained coach Mike Tullberg, who analysed: "Due to the clear chances, we should have decided the match in the first 30 minutes. We lost our intensity in the second period; Hertha were then the better of two great teams. Overall, it's a fair result."
BVB took a 1-0 lead through Cole Campbell in the 11th minute, only for the visitors to turn the game on its head in the second period with goals from Oliver Rölke (68) and Karim Bellomo (89). Charles Herrmann then sparked celebrations in stoppage time by levelling the score at 2-2.
The Berlin outfit had surprised Mike Tullberg by including three players who are regular members of the 2. Bundesliga squad: in addition to U17 World Cup winner Bence Dardai, coach Oliver Reiß had brought in attacker Ibrahim Maza and defensive organiser Pascal Klemens. "That shows that Hertha BSC have a lot of respect for us and still have a score to settle," said Managing Director for Sport Lars Ricken of the line-up for the visitors, who had lost out to Borussia in the Championship final round in 2022 and 2023.
With the senior team coaching staff (Edin Terzic, Nuri Sahin, Sven Bender, Sebastian Geppert) watching on, the Black & Yellows started the game well and were celebrating for the first time in the 11th minute. Almugera Kabar skilfully dealt with a diagonal ball from the defence and Paris Brunner didn't think twice before striking against the inside of the post. Cole Campbell reacted lightning-quick and tapped the ball over the line. It marked the start of a highly interesting, intense and good-quality match with some outstanding individual players: "You rarely see so much quality on the pitch in a junior match," remarked Lars Ricken.
Hertha endeavoured to gain control over the ball and their opposition. Borussia responded with compactness, lots of running, aggressiveness and quick switch-play. Like in the 21st minute: Kjell Wätjen played a precise pass to Cole Campbell, who entered the box with determination and fired the ball narrowly wide of the upright. The next major opportunity to extend the lead before the interval fell to Paris Brunner, who failed to get the better of the strong Tim Goller in the Hertha goal following a pass from Campbell.
Hertha turn the match around in the second half
The Berlin outfit struggled to break down Borussia's uncompromising defence. Luca Michelbrink tried his luck with two long-range shots that posed a danger while Ibrahim Maza met his match in goalkeeper Robin Lisewski (55), but the more dangerous attacking moments took place in the Hertha penalty area. One such incident came shortly after the restart when Danylo Krevsun and Cole Campbell almost made it 2-0. "They were almost two penalties," said Mike Tullberg, bemoaning the chance conversion.
The visitors subsequently seized the initiative in the match. BVB could hardly break out to relieve the pressure and also suffered some bad luck with injury. Almugera Kabar came off first, then Paris Brunner – and in the closing stages Mike Tullberg almost had to completely reshuffle the defensive line-up with William Rashidi, Filippo Mane, Tyler Meiser and Elias Benkara. Following a long spell of pressure, Hertha striker Oliver Rölke almost expectedly levelled the scores at 1-1. He headed a cross from the lively Lukas Michelbrink powerfully into the net (68). Hertha then exploited Dortmund's defensive changes and uncertainties by taking a 2-1 lead in the 89th minute through substitute Karim Bellomo, who converted a Dardai cross.
But despite their personnel difficulties, Borussia showed spirit, fought back and were rewarded in stoppage time. Following a corner by Cole Campbell, Charles Herrmann proved to be the quickest to react and slotted home the equaliser for 2-2 amid a goalmouth scramble. Campbell almost scored a third goal in the final minute. It was a fair result in the end and one that leaves BVB in with every chance.
TSG claimed a 6-2 victory away to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first semi-final match.
U19s: Lisewski – Korzynietz (Mane, 83), Meiser, Posadas (Benkara, 46), Kabar (Rashidi, 62)– Wätjen, Lubach – Onofrietti (Herrmann, 46), Krevsun, Campbell – Brunner (Diallo, 78)
(wiwi)