VÖLKLINGEN, Germany (AP) — Fourth-division Saarbrücken’s record-breaking run to the German Cup semifinals came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in an empty stadium on Tuesday.
The coronavirus pandemic deprived Saarbrücken of the home crowd which had roared on its team as it knocked out four clubs from higher divisions, becoming the first club from such a low league to reach a cup semifinal.
Leverkusen will face either Bayern Munich or Eintracht Frankfurt in its first German Cup final since 2009. The club is chasing its first trophy since 1993.
Saarbrücken had to win a regional cup last year to even qualify for this season’s German Cup.