Hamburg - Werder Bremen struggled to a 2-1 victory over third division side Erzgebirge Aue in the German Cup Tuesday while Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt fared even worse, losing to teams from lower leagues. With the memory of Saturday's stunning 5-2 win at champions Bayern Munich still fresh in their minds, Bremen went into their second- round clash full of confidence but found themselves a goal down after just seven minutes when Fabian Mueller put the home side ahead with a shot from outside the area.
But Claudio Pizarro equalized for Thomas Schaaf's side on 26 minutes with Markus Rosenberg netting what turned out to be the winner for Bremen nine minutes after the break.
Energie Cottbus moved into the next round as three penalties helped them to a 3-0 win over fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach. Dimitar Rangelov netted the first from the spot on 42 minutes while two further penalties from Albanian Ervin Skela in the second half secured the win.
Bundesliga side Cologne crashed 3-1 at second division club Mainz 05. Aristide Bance put the home side in front with a header on 61 minutes and Miroslav Karhan made it 2-0 from the penalty spot seven minutes later.
Youssef Mohamad pulled one back for Cologne on 73 minutes but substitute Milorad Pekovic made it 3-1 for Mainz 11 minutes from time.
Frankfurt went down 2-1 after extra time to second division Hansa Rostock. Striker Martin Fenin put the Bundesliga side in front just before the break but Enrico Kern equalized for Rostock on 53 minutes.
Rostock goalkeeper Joerg Hahnel then saved a penalty from Caio before Kern netted the winner in the first half of extra time.
Later Tuesday, league leaders Schalke 04 take on Hanover 96 in an all-Bundesliga clash while MSV Duisburg face Munich 1860 and Augsburg welcome Bayer Leverkusen.
Nine further German Cup ties take place Wednesday, including holders Bayern Munich who play Nuremberg.
