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Essen (dpa) - The cloudy weather over home gave the Holstein Kiel cup heroes at least one small spontaneous celebration.

"We actually wanted to fly home," said coach Ole Werner after the 3-0 (2-0) at fourth division Rot-Weiss Essen and the first-time entry into the semi-finals of the DFB Cup: "But there is fog again over Kiel.

So we can't land.

Now we have a relatively long bus ride ahead of us.

And that gives us the opportunity to drink a beer or two. "

Upon arrival, the only 32-year-old successful coach asked for the next top game in the second division to be on Monday evening at Hamburger SV.

After all, the first Bundesliga promotion is within reach.

"We have two dreams that we are currently living," said veteran Fin Bartels (34), whose return to his hometown last summer was a particular success story: "But there are still a few big chunks in between."

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In the cup, the last chunk on the way to the final in Berlin will be Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig or the winner of the catch-up game between Jahn Regensburg and Werder Bremen.

“We are not afraid of anyone,” Werner clarified: “Every lot will be a good one for us.

There are four balls left in the drum and we're still at it.

We would not have expected that before the season. "

On the other hand, there was anger and frustration among the Essenes over the unjustified penalty to 0: 1, which ushered in the end of their cup fairy tale.

"This is the clearest non-penalty kick of all time," complained CEO Marcus Uhlig about the scene in the 26th minute, in which Kiel's Finn Porath was almost on the ground when Dennis Grote touched him.

“We get instructions from the DFB for weeks,” said Uhlig: “It costs 20,000 euros and more to set up the technology just for this game.

And what for?

For the fact that they sleep in the cabin? "

When he tried to talk to the Fourth Official during the break, he was “arrogantly dismissed from above,” said Uhlig: “They treat you like a schoolboy.

You think you're the little boy from the fourth division. "

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The 50-year-old is not afraid of a possible punishment for his statements - he had already spoken of a "huge scandal" at the break.

“I haven't offended anyone,” he said: “And even if I did, I don't care.

Because that's just bad from the DFB.

And you have to talk about that. "

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210304-99-680223 / 2