DFB-Pokal Final 2017 vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Redemption in Berlin: The Black and Yellows seize silverware after extra time.
The 2017 DFB-Pokal Final stands as a defiant climax to Borussia Dortmund's turbulent 2016-17 campaign. Under the new, high-octane guidance of Peter Bosz, the Black and Yellows faced Eintracht Frankfurt at Berlin's Olympiastadion on May 27, not merely chasing silverware, but fighting for the soul of a season that had teetered between brilliance and chaos. This victory was more than a trophy; it was a redemption arc, erasing the sting of an earlier Champions League collapse and securing vital Europa League football for the coming year.
- Competition
- DFB-Pokal Final
- Date
- May 27, 2017
- Venue
- Olympiastadion, Berlin
- Result
- 2-1 (AET)
- Dortmund Scorer(s)
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marco Reus
- Frankfurt Scorer(s)
- Alexander Meier
Lore & Background
The road to Berlin was paved with volatility. Following Thomas Tuchel's abrupt departure, Peter Bosz installed his aggressive, possession-heavy philosophy, turning the DFB-Pokal into a sanctuary where Dortmund's identity could flourish despite Bundesliga frustrations. The semi-final victory over Bayern Munich in extra time had already sent shockwaves through German football, proving the team could topple their arch-rivals when it mattered most.
In the final, Niko Kovač's Eintracht Frankfurt, anchored by the veteran Alexander Meier, presented a disciplined, counter-attacking wall against Dortmund's high press. The match was a tactical chess match that dissolved into a gripping extra-time thriller. With 40,000 members of the 'Yellow Wall' creating a deafening cauldron in Berlin, the narrative hinged on resilience: after conceding an early goal, the BVB refused to fracture. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's equalizer reignited hope, but it was Marco Reus who delivered the decisive blow late in extra time, transforming a season of uncertainty into a moment of pure, unadulterated glory.
In Their Own Story
The Berlin night hummed with a nervous energy that only a cup final can generate. After ninety minutes of grinding stalemate ended 1-1, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wiped sweat and frustration from his brow; the yellow jersey felt heavy under the weight of expectation. The prospect of penalties loomed like a dark cloud.
Then came the breakthrough in the dying seconds of extra time. Marco Reus drifted into space just outside the penalty area, the stadium holding its breath in collective suspension. He struck the ball with icy precision, sending it rocketing past the keeper into the net. The eruption was instantaneous—a roar from the Dortmund faithful that seemed to shake the Olympiastadion's foundations. As teammates swarmed their captain, the pain of a fractured season evaporated, replaced by the visceral, electric joy of lifting the cup once again.
Reader's Guide
The 2017 DFB-Pokal Final marked the culmination of a dramatic 2016-17 season, pitting Borussia Dortmund against Eintracht Frankfurt in a clash that transcended mere sport. Charged with narrative weight, this final served as a redemption story for a club that had faced managerial upheaval and league struggles. It was the moment Peter Bosz's ambitious project found its footing, securing back-to-back cup titles and proving that even in chaos, Dortmund could find a path to glory.
Did You Know?
- This victory secured Borussia Dortmund's first-ever consecutive DFB-Pokal titles since winning in 2016 and 2017.
- Marco Reus scored the decisive goal in extra time, marking his second contribution of a remarkable final that capped an unforgettable personal season for the captain.
- The match took place just days after Peter Bosz was officially confirmed as permanent head coach following Thomas Tuchel's departure earlier in the week.
- Alexander Meier, who scored Frankfurt's equalizer, was 34 years old at the time, making him one of the oldest outfield players to score in a DFB-Pokal final.