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Futbol

Third-tier Arminia Bielefeld stunned defending champions Bayer Leverkusen to reach the final of the German Cup. Bielefeld fought back from a goal down to triumph 2-1 and become the first team outside the top two divisions to knock four Bundesliga sides out of the German Cup in one season. The club, who are fourth in Germany's third division, had already beaten Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen before their victory over the reigning Bundesliga champions. Leverkusen opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Jonathan Tah, but their lead lasted for just three minutes as Marius Worl beat keeper Lukas Hradecky with a low strike. A close-range volley from Maximilian Grosser before the break completed Bielefeld's comeback and condemned Leverkusen to their first German Cup defeat under manager Xabi Alonso. "We didn't need luck at all because we were on the front foot the whole time," Bielefeld boss Michel Kniat said. Kniat said he "normally wouldn't have a drink with the players, but tonight I'll make an exception", adding that "nobody will go to sleep in this city tonight". Bielefeld returned to the Bundesliga in 2020 after an 11-year absence, but they were relegated two seasons later and, in 2023, they dropped down to the third tier after losing a relegation play-off. They are the fourth team from the third division to reach the German Cup final, following Union Berlin in 2001, Energie Cottbus in 1997 and Hertha Berlin's reserve team in 1993. Bielefeld will take on another Bundesliga side in the final, with Stuttgart or RB Leipzig facing each other in Wednesday's semi-final.

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Futbol

Scotland 'already Started' Preparing To Host Women's World Cup

Women's Nations League A: Scotland v Germany Venue: Tannadice Park, Dundee Date: Friday, 4 April Kick-off: 19:35 BST Coverage: Watch on BBC Alba & iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app Scotland have "already started" preparing for an "inspirational" UK-hosted Women's World Cup in 2035, according to interim head coach Mick McArdle. Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed on Thursday that a joint expression of interest in hosting the tournament from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales was the only valid one received by the world governing body's deadline day. McArdle is not only preparing his team for Friday's Nations League visit by Germany but is closely involved with Scottish FA policy as head of elite women's football. Asked about "the exciting news" and the prospect of Scotland hosting World Cup games in 10 years' time, he said: "We're two and a half years into that cycle. "The association's decision to have the foresight to create the role that I'm the custodian for just now, the head of elite game, is that we've already started that preparation. "It's up to us to qualify for the tournament as well, if it's not automatic, but it's an inspiration to us all, myself, the full pathway, the players in the dressing room just now." Scotland qualified for their first World Cup finals in 2019 but missed out in 2023, while they have not reached a European Championship finals since 2017. McArdle says the response to England hosting the Euros in 2022 was felt throughout that country and he hopes Scotland can capitalise on a similar scale. "It's a massive inspiration that we could be hosting but also get ourselves to a World Cup now as well," McArdle said. "We've seen how massive the hosting of Euros in England was to the English game's development overnight and it's certainly something that would have a massive impact across the game." Meanwhile, McArdle repeated his belief that he is ready to take the head coach on a permanent basis if it is offered at the end of "currently ongoing" recruitment process Having lost their opening Group A ties to the Netherlands and Austria, Scotland face a double header with the top seeds and group leaders, travelling to Wolfsburg for the return tie on Tuesday. McArdle says the campaign "gives us a benchmark" to gauge their progress and "learn" as they look "towards consistently qualifying for competitions". Scotland have lost their three previous meetings with Germany without scoring, the latest of those being a 3-0 friendly defeat in 2013. Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit) Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (West Ham United) Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Rangers), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Sam Kerr (Liverpool, on loan from Bayern Munich), Kirsty MacLean (Rangers), Amy Rodgers (Bristol City), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid) Forwards: Eilidh Adams (Hibernian), Lauren Davidson (Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur), Emma Watson (Everton, on loan from Manchester United)