Rodinghausen have had quite the journey in recent years, earning five consecutive promotions between 2010 and 2014 to rise to the Regionaliga West, which they still compete in.

In fact, they could actually be playing in the third tier of German football, but they declined promotion despite winning the fourth division in 2020.

The club's rapid rise has largely been bankrolled by Horst Finkemeier, the retired owner of a kitchen manufacturing business, who spent roughly €2m on financing a new stadium in 2011.

Whether Finkemeier would refuse promotion for a second time in four seasons remains to be seen. If his side's opening day 5-0 victory over Koln II is anything to go by, there could be another predicament on his hands come May.

In the meantime, manager Carsten Rump will be aiming to guide his side into the second round of the DFB-Pokal for only the second time in the club's history, after their famous 3-2 win over Dynamo Dresden in 2018. That victory set up a mouthwatering tie against Bayern Munich, which ended 2-1 to the German giants, but Hoffenheim will clearly be a bigger first round test this time around.

Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 12, 2022 © Reuters

Indeed, Hoffenheim enjoyed their own rapid rise through the divisions in the early 2000's, but of course made it to a much higher level after finishing as runners-up in the second tier in 2007.

Die Kraichgauer have remained in the Bundesliga ever since, twice qualifying for the Champions League before reaching the knockout stages of European competition for the first ever time in 2021, when they lost to Norwegian side Molde in the Europa League first knockout round.

Despite their huge financial backing, which has earned the club plenty of criticsm over the years, the DFB-Pokal continues to elude them, however.

Seven quarter-final appearances is not to be sniffed at for any side, although the last of those came when losing after extra time to Dortmund in 2015.

New manager Andre Breitenreiter will hope to make an instant impact in his first competitive game in charge of the club, and the early signs are positive after an unbeaten pre-season period. The former Schalke 04 and FC Zurich boss will be acutely aware that anything shy of beating a side three divisions lower than his own would undo all of that early work, though.

SV Rodinghausen form (all competitions):

Hoffenheim pre-season form:

Team News

Germany and Hoffenheim defender David Raum pictured in training in March 2022 © Reuters

Rump will hope that striker Damjan Marceta is in a similar vein of form to last weekend, when the 28-year-old bagged a brace in his side's 5-0 rout to open the campaign in style.

Rodinghausen's boss is unlikely to make any changes after such a positive performance.

Breitenreiter, meanwhile, had a two-goal hero of his own to thank after Grischa Promel scored twice in the recent 3-2 friendly win over Hellas Verona.

The former Union Berlin midfielder is expected to make his competitive debut for the club on Sunday after moving on a free transfer this summer.

David Raum is unlikely to feature for the time being, though, with his future at the club uncertain following RB Leipzig's rejected bid for the Germany left-back.

SV Rodinghausen possible starting lineup:
Tigges; Choroba, Wolff, Flottman, Riemer; Hoffmeier, Schuster; Kurzen, Schaub, Bravo-Sanchez; Marceta

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Hubner, Vogt, Posch; Promel, Samassekou; Skov, Baumgartner, Larsen; Kramaric

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We say: SV Rodinghausen 1-3 Hoffenheim

We would not be surprised if the hosts manage to get themselves on the scoresheet, but the visitors should have more than enough quality to avoid a major upset.

Breitenreiter will have his players highly motivated in his first competitive match in charge since departing Zurich, with the likes of Andrej Kramaric several steps in class above Hoffenheim's opponents on the day.

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