Hamburg avoid German Cup embarrassment in extra time

Hamburg narrowly avoided an embarrassing first-round German Cup exit at fifth-tier Pirmasens on Saturday, coming back to win 2-1 in extra time.

Trailing to the semi-professional side after a 52nd-minute goal from Yannick Griess, Hamburg drew level in stoppage time when Guilherme Ramos headed in an equaliser from a corner.

In extra time, Ransford-Yeboah Koenigsdoerffer scored on the 100-minute mark to put the 1983 European Cup winners in front.

Six-time German champions Hamburg return to the top flight this season after seven years in the second division, following a first-ever relegation in 2018.

Later on Saturday, 2022 and 2023 winners RB Leipzig play at fourth-tier Sandhausen and 2015 winners Wolfsburg face Hemelingen, who ply their trade in the fifth division.