The final round of the German U19 Championship is underway. The first western club lost clearly on Wednesday. BVB is in demand on Thursday.

Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach are, as usual, two teams from the Bundesliga’s West Division in the final round of the German U19 Championship.

However, the chances of a final duel between the NRW clubs diminished considerably on Wednesday evening. Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted TSG Hoffenheim in the first semi-final – and were clearly defeated 2:6 (1:2).

This also means that Oliver Kirch’s team will have to improve massively in the second leg if they are to make it to the final. Borussia will host the Bundesliga South/South-West champions next Sunday (11 a.m.).

BVB enter the final round on Thursday. After an outstanding regular season, which Mike Tullberg’s team finished in first place with a 17-point lead, Hertha BSC come to the Ruhr area (18:30, RS live ticker).

BVB already met Hertha in the semi-finals a year ago

The Berliners are also season champions and are likely to be joined by players like Bence Dardai, who have already had a taste of professional football. Meanwhile, BVB can welcome some newly crowned German champions to its ranks: Elias Benkara, Ousmane Diallo and Taycan Etcibasi celebrated the title with the U17s last weekend and have now been promoted to the senior squad.

“The final round of the German championship is a new competition that we would like to make a success of,” coach Mike Tullberg told club media. “We have to try to get our offensive strength on the pitch in order to be in a good position for the second leg in Berlin.” And in front of a big crowd – at least the coach hopes so: “The boys deserve that after an outstanding Bundesliga season.”

The reunion in the capital will take place on Whit Monday (11 a.m.). Coach Tullberg and some of the talented players are likely to have fond memories of Hertha BSC. They also met in the semi-finals last season – and Dortmund came out on top.