Stuttgart beat third tier Arminia Bielefeld 4 2 to clinch German Cup

BERLIN - VfB Stuttgart beat third-tier Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 with a double from Enzo Millot to lift the German Cup for the first time in 28 years on Saturday, bringing relief for Sebastian Hoenesss side after a disappointing Bundesliga campaign.

Goals from Nick Woltemade, Millot and Deniz Undav put Stuttgart 3-0 up at the break before Millot scored again to make it 4-0 after 66 minutes and effectively end the contest.

Bielefeld did pull a goal back through substitute Julian Kania eight minutes from time before Stuttgarts Josha Vagnoman netted an own goal in the 85th but it was too little, too late.

The win was Stuttgarts fourth German Cup success and earned a place in the Europa Leagues league phase. They finished the Bundesliga campaign ninth, two points off the European spots.

They delivered a bitter ending to a fairytale run for Bielefeld, who stunned holders Bayer Leverkusen in April to reach the final for the first time. They eliminated three other Bundesliga teams in consecutive rounds in the competition.

Bielefeld, who clinched the third division title last weekend, failed to crown their promotion back to Bundesliga 2 with another trophy. They were the fourth third-tier side to reach the German Cup final and first since Union Berlin in 2001.

Bielefeld got off to a lively start and should have taken an early lead through Noah Sarenren Bazee, who smashed the ball against the bar from close range.

Instead, Woltemade put Stuttgart in front after 15 minutes, beating goalkeeper Jonas Kersken with a low shot from the edge of the area.

The 23-year-old forward received his first Germany call-up on Thursday ahead of the Nations League semi-final against Portugal on June 4.

Millot doubled Stuttgarts lead on the counter-attack seven minutes later, scoring into an empty net after the