Injury-hit Bayern Munich crushed third-tier Preussen Muenster 4-1 away on Sunday to bounce back from their midweek Super Cup defeat and launch a successful defence of their German Cup title.
Despite missing half a dozen key players through injury, including Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern were eager to make amends for Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Fellow Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, who had crashed out against lower-ranked opponnents in the past three editions of the competition, needed extra time to edge past regional club Illertissen 3-2.
Hoffenheim were much more convincing, beating USC Paloma 9-0 with five goals from Sven Schipplock while Freiburg advanced with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Trier 2-0.
Dortmund have already booked their second round spot after easing 4-1 past Stuttgarter Kickers on Saturday.