Erfurt/Jena, 04.04.2026. In a memorable semi-final of the Thüringenpokal, FC Carl Zeiss Jena defeated eternal rivals Rot-Weiß Erfurt 9:7 after a penalty shootout. The fast-paced match featured ten goals during play, was delayed before kickoff, and was accompanied by intense fan choreographies as well as massive pyrotechnics.
- Competition: Thüringenpokal, semi-final
- Match: FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt vs. FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Result: 9:7 on penalties (4:4 after regular time, 5:5 after extra time) for Jena
- Spectators: over 15,000
- Special features: Delayed kickoff, registered fan march, large-scale use of pyrotechnics in both sections
Spectacular course of the match on the pitch
The encounter between the two traditional Thüringen clubs lived up to the pre-match tension. In front of over 15,000 spectators, the match, often dubbed the “early final,” quickly developed into a true goal festival. After just eleven minutes, FC Carl Zeiss Jena led 2:1 in a turbulent opening phase. The lead changed hands several times throughout the game. After 90 minutes, the score was 4:4, before both teams scored another goal each in extra time to reach a 5:5 intermediate score. The decision was only reached in the subsequent penalty shootout, where the guests from Jena kept their nerves and secured their ticket to the final.
Fan march and colorful stands
The intensity of the derby was also reflected in the stands. The match day began for supporters of FC Carl Zeiss Jena with a large fan march, which had previously been officially registered as a demonstration. After arriving by train, the fans marched from the Erfurt Stadtpark towards the stadium. In the away section, Jena supporters presented a visually unified front in blue jackets. Before kickoff, they displayed a choreography with four yellow banners and the lettering “FORZA,” flanked by a large banner reading “FC CARL ZEISS JENA e.V.”.
Provocations and pyrotechnics
The Erfurt home curve used their choreography for a direct provocation: a masked RWE fan symbolically held the head of a clown – a clear allusion to a Jena choreography from the previous second half of the season, in which the away section was depicted as a “circus ring.” The action was accompanied by a “No Mercy” banner and thick red smoke. Meanwhile, the kickoff of the match had to be postponed because the entrances (mouth holes) in the away area were initially blocked by banners and had to be cleared first. Throughout the entire 120 minutes, Bengal flares were repeatedly ignited in both fan camps, particularly to celebrate the numerous goals.
Background: The Thüringenderby
The encounter between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt is considered one of the most traditional and high-stakes derbies in East German football. The rivalry dates back to the days of the DDR-Oberliga. Matches between the state capital and university city clubs regularly require the highest security level and a massive police presence to ensure the strict separation of the strongly hostile fan camps on travel routes and in the stadium. Historically, derbies ending with so many goals are an absolute rarity, making this cup semi-final a special entry in the history books of both clubs.
Transparency note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.