Schalke, Hertha into German Cup second round

Hansa Rostock 0 - 2 Hertha Berlin
(Weiser 86', Ibisevic 90+2')
Ostseestadion, Rostock

Hertha Berlin's two late goals masked a fairly drab performance for most of the match against Rostock, a game more likely to be remembered for the fans' antics than the players'. 

Hansa's block of loyal "Ultras" were placed next to Hertha Berlin's traveling support in Monday evening's match, and both sides' misuse of flares and fireworks twice interrupted the match. Late in the second half, play was stopped for roughly quarter of an hour after flares set fire to some plastic seats in one Rostock fan segment. Hertha's coach Pal Dardai said that he had "never experienced anything like this in my life," while his counterpart Pavel Dochtev lamented: "Sadly, there are always some black sheep ruining everything." 

After intensive discussions with police on site, the officials decided to restart the match - which had stood at 0-0 after 76 minutes. Both Hertha's goals came following the lengthy interruption.

Mitchell Weiser's opener was a well-hit half volley, collecting a corner that had bounced across the penalty area unclaimed. Vedad Ibisevic polished it off in stoppage time, as Rostock threw players forward seeking the equalizer, poking home a great counterattacking assist from Matthew Leckie. 

Berlin FC Dynamo 0 - 2 Schalke
(Konoplyanka 78', 90')
Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, Berlin

Schalke's new coach Domenico Tedesco tried to rest several big names as the Royal Blues traveled to play Berlin's third team, the one closest to the old East German state apparatus in days gone by. Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer both started on the bench, while 18-year-old American Weston McKennie made his fist senior start for Schalke in central midfield and 20-year-old Thilo Keher marshaled the center of defense. 

But Tedesco's youngsters struggled to assert control of the game, with Dynamo enjoying plenty of possession and several shots in the course of the match. 

Both Goretzka and Meyer came off the bench in the second half as Schalke sought to break the deadlock. Goretzka almost volleyed home moments after coming on, but Dynamo's goalie Bernhard Hendl got his glove to the strike, diverting it onto the crossbar. 

Around 10 minutes later Goretzka turned provider, feeding Yevhen Konoplyanka, who rounded one defender and buried the ball in the bottom corner. With only stoppage time remaining, Meyer and Konoplyanka combined for almost a carbon copy of the first goal; the Ukrainian again found the bottom corner from range with his right foot.

Although comfortable, the scoreline flattered Schalke somewhat. Tedesco's team had less than 60 percent possession, but did manage 20 shots to Dynamo's nine.

Paderborn 2 - 1 St. Pauli
(Wassey 41', Antwi-Adjej 79' -- Allagui 90+1' pen.)
Benteler-Arena, Paderborn

Paderborn have slipped from the Bundesliga to Germany's third division in just two seasons, only just avoiding a third successive relegation last season. Still, the side retains the ability to surprise high-quality opponents, proving as much on Monday evening. 

Massih Wassey opened the scoring in some style, struggling to control a bouncing ball with his right foot, but then blasting it into the top corner with his left once it sat up for him. Sven Michel deserves much of the credit for Christopher Antwi-Adjej's second, showing the perfect combination of resolve and timing to keep hold of the ball on his own, before serving it up as Antwi-Adjej arrived in support.

Former Mainz and Hertha Berlin forward Sami Allagui made no mistake from the spot when Paderborn offered St Pauli a late lifeline, but five minutes of stoppage time did not suffice to find an equalizer.

Duisburg 1 - 2 Nuremberg
(Wolze 90+4' -- Behrens 21', Margreitter 41')
Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg

Nuremberg's story was almost identical to Paderborn's, a comfortable 2-0 lead very nearly squandered in the dying moments against MSV Duisburg. Yet ultimately the lead established before the break was enough to carry Nuremberg through to the second round.