Bayern Munich have made history by beating Stuttgart 3-2 in the final of the DFB-Pokal to become the first German team to complete the treble.
With the Bundesliga and the Champions League titles already in the bag, it was a chance for Jupp Heynckes to end his reign in Bavaria on the best possible note.
© AP Photos
It was Stuttgart who made the better start, though, and should have gone ahead in the 22nd minute, had it not been for a brilliant double stop by Manuel Neuer.
The German number one first palmed away Vedad Ibisevic's header before springing across his goal to deny Alexandru Maxim from tapping in.
Sven Ulreich was needed down the other end six minutes later as Bayern looked to hit Stuttgart on the counter. David Alaba slipped the ball through for Franck Ribery, but the goalkeeper got down well to make the save.
Jupp Heynckes's men were given the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after Ibrahima Traore bundled Philipp Lahm over inside the area. Thomas Muller stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Ulreich the wrong way.
It stayed that way until the break, but the Bundesliga and European champions did not have to wait long for their second goal, as Lahm's cross deflected off Mario Gomez's knee and into the net two minutes after the restart.
The German international's second goal of the evening was well worked, involving Lahm and Muller in the buildup and capped by a clinical finish. With 62 minutes gone, it looked to have put his team out of sight.
However, Martin Harnik had other ideas. He got his team back into the game with a powerful back-post header in the 72nd minute, before following in from Arthur Boka's free kick that had struck the post, to set up an exciting final 10 minutes.
Stuttgart threw men forward in a desperate attempt to force extra time, but it was not to be for Bruno Labbadia's side, who had to settle for a valiant defeat.
Michael Penkman
