Stuttgart’s misery continues in German Cup ouster

Stuttgart’s dismal season endured another low point on Tuesday when Markus Babbel’s side were ousted from the German Cup in the Round of 16 in a 1-0 loss away to Greuther Fürth.

Stuttgart dominated the opening half-hour of the match, but Fürth were the ones to take the lead in the 32nd minute, against the run of the play.

Leonhard Haas slid in a wonderful pass for midfielder Bernd Nehrig, who got in behind Stuttgart defender Arthur Boka before dispatching a fine shot beyond Jens Lehmann.

Thomas Hitzlsperger and Zdravko Kuzmanovic tried to inspire Stuttgart with great play in the midfield, but striker Ciprian Marica, among others, failed to make good on the chances in the first half. Fürth goalkeeper Stephan Loboué was also inspired in goal.

Stuttgart continued to be the better side after the restart, but the Fürth defense held strong as Nicolai Müller blocked a drive by Kuzmanovic before it could reach Loboué in the 55th minute.

The visitors infused Julian Schieber and Aleksandr Hleb into the attack on the hour mark, but it was Haas that put a scare into Stuttgart when his drive from 28 yards went just high of Lehmann’s goal in the 64th minute.

Elson missed a good chance at an equalizer on 71 minutes after a low pass from substitute Roberto Hilbert, but Marica missed a sitter seven minutes later with Loboué well beaten.

The Fürth defense held firm to produce a famous Cup scalp, and the second-division club move on to the quarterfinals.