Sverkos impresses boss
A sensational hat-trick from youngster Vaclav Sverkos ended Stuttgart's unbeaten run in domestic football this season, when Borussia Monchengladbach emerged as shock 4-2 winners over Felix Magath's side in the third round of the German Cup.
Gladbach coach Holger Fach had nothing but praise for the 20-year-old Czech.
"I knew from the first time I saw him playing that we had to do our utmost to get him," said Fach.
"I never thought that we'd be able to win the race for him and I am sure that, in a couple of years, we won't be able to keep him any longer."
The visitors looked on track for another win when Kevin Kuranyi gave them the lead just before the break, but then the Czech Under-21 international showed why he is regarded as the brightest young striker in his home country and scored twice within six minutes.
Imre Szabics levelled matters for Stuttgart on the hour mark, but Sverkos completed his hat-trick before substitute Arie van Lent added a fourth.
Magath had tested a new-look defence in an attempt to rest some of his youngsters - and admitted that his experiment had backfired badly.
"We haven't conceded that many goals in a long time, and the two strikes shortly after the break were really useless," fumed Magath.
"It's a pity, because we had the chance to get a better result today and I would have loved to qualify for the cup final in Berlin."
Elsewhere, Second Division leaders Alemannia Aachen eased into the next round following a 5-0 away win over Third Division side Eintracht Braunschweig, MSV Duisburg managed to beat Jahn Regensburg on penalties and Third Division outfit TSG Hoffenheim sensationally emerged as 3-2 winners over Bayer Leverkusen.
