Jena/Köln, May 29, 2026. The U17 girls of FC Carl Zeiss Jena have achieved a historic milestone and will stand in the final of the DFB-Pokal for junior girls tomorrow, Saturday. At the Sportpark Höhenberg in Köln, the team will compete for the coveted cup victory against the youth of VfB Stuttgart starting at 13:00.
- Matchup: FC Carl Zeiss Jena (U17) vs. VfB Stuttgart (U17)
- Kickoff: Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 13:00
- Venue: Sportpark Höhenberg, Köln
- Broadcast: Live on DFB.TV and the official DFB YouTube channel
A historical success for the Jena youth
Reaching this year’s final marks the greatest success to date for the U17 girls of FC Carl Zeiss Jena. After the team narrowly failed in the semifinals last season, the Thüringen-based side rewarded themselves this season for a consistently strong performance. Particularly noteworthy: the Jena players reached the final without a single defeat and showed both disciplined defensive work and great offensive strength throughout the entire tournament.
The sporting path to the final
While the opponents from VfB Stuttgart marched straight into the final in their first participation in this competition, Jena also convinced with a sovereign cup season. After a bye in the opening round, the team mastered the following hurdles:
- Round of 16: 2-1 victory against SV Elversberg
- Quarter-final: High-scoring 5-3 against SC Freiburg
- Semi-final: Clear 3-0 success against Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Semi-final (Return leg/Decider): 2-0 victory against RB Leipzig
The final opponent from Stuttgart prevailed on their way against SV Menden (6-0), 1. FC Saarbrücken (8-1), Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1), TSG Hoffenheim (3-1), and Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2-0). Thus, a true duel at eye level between two undefeated teams awaits.
Important info for traveling fans
For all supporters who want to cheer on the Jena team live on-site in Köln, the following conditions apply on match day:
- Tickets: Seated tickets are available in advance for 8 Euro (reduced 5 Euro). Groups of ten or more pay only 3.50 Euro per ticket. The box offices in Köln open at 11:30 on match day.
- Admission: The stadium opens at 11:30. For security reasons, only bags up to a maximum size of DIN A4 are permitted throughout the stadium grounds.
🎭 The tradition-rich Jena women’s football academy
The U17’s entry into the final follows seamlessly from the successful history of Jena women’s football. As the successor to the legendary FF USV Jena, which was a fixture in German women’s football for years and produced numerous future national players, talent development at FC Carl Zeiss Jena continues in the club’s own youth performance center. Reaching the DFB-Pokal final once again underscores the high importance of youth work in Thüringen.
Source:
U17 of VfB Stuttgart meets Carl-Zeiss Jena in the DFB-Pokal final in Köln
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.