One of the most interesting differences between the DFB Pokal and the English FA Cup (at least to outside eyes) is the way in which the first round is drawn.
Of the 64 participating teams, 40 qualify by the league position (all of the top two divisions plus the top 4 from 3.Liga). The other 24 teams qualify by means of winning their regional cup competition (Verbandspokal). But the first round draw is effectively seeded – the top 32 teams on one side of the draw, the lowest ranked 32 on the other. This effectively means that a very small club, by dint of winning their regional cup, stand a decent chance of drawing (say) Dortmund at home in the first round.
Which is exactly what has happened in the game here today. TSV Schott Mainz (now in the Oberliga Rheinland Pfalz-Saar, tier 5, having been relegated last season) have a payday against the mighty BVB
