Kurdish Pride on German Turf: Deniz Undav Dances into History After Cup Final Goal
“I’ve always been proud of my roots,” Undav previously told reporters. “Every goal I score is for my people.”
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a night of triumph, flair, and cultural resonance, Kurdish-German footballer Deniz Undav stole the spotlight during the final match of the German club cup by scoring a decisive goal and celebrating with a traditional Kurdish dance, symbolizing both personal pride and national heritage on one of Europe’s grandest stages.
Playing for VfB Stuttgart, Undav scored once to help his team defeat Arminia Bielefeld 4–2, securing Stuttgart’s fourth German Cup title and their first since 1997. His goal, Stuttgart’s third of the match, was followed by an exuberant and meaningful celebration — breaking into a Kurdish dance, a gesture that electrified Kurdish social media and resonated deeply with his cultural community.
Undav, whose consistent performances have made him a standout figure in the Bundesliga, has frequently used his platform to affirm his Kurdish identity. Following previous goals in domestic competitions, he has celebrated by performing traditional Kurdish dances, further solidifying his image as a cultural ambassador on the football field.
“I’ve always been proud of my roots,” Undav previously told reporters. “Every goal I score is for my people.”
Kurdish Pride on German Turf: Deniz Undav Dances into History After Cup Final Goal
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) May 25, 2025
“I’ve always been proud of my roots,” Undav previously told reporters. “Every goal I score is for my people.”
🔗: https://t.co/UStlzIATKE
📹: Stuttgart's Kurdish-German forward #26 Deniz Undav… pic.twitter.com/e1hczC6u3A
Saturday's final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion was played before a sold-out crowd of 74,000, with fans from both clubs showcasing massive choreographies and, at times, setting off flares in defiance of security warnings.
Stuttgart ruthlessly capitalized on defensive errors by Arminia Bielefeld to build a 3–0 lead inside the first half hour. Germany midfielder Angelo Stiller, returning from injury, played a pivotal role by assisting two early goals. Enzo Millot scored twice, while Nick Woltemade and Undav each added one goal apiece.
Though Bielefeld was playing in its first-ever German Cup final — and as only the fourth third-division side to ever reach the final — there was no fairytale ending. The American captain of Bielefeld, Mael Corboz, who had helped eliminate Bundesliga giants including defending champions Bayer Leverkusen en route to the final, could not rally his team to a comeback.
Late in the match, substitute Julian Kania scored a consolation goal, and Stuttgart’s Josha Vagnoman accidentally turned the ball into his own net, giving Bielefeld fans a brief resurgence of hope. But the final result remained firmly in Stuttgart’s hands.
After the final whistle, Stuttgart players, led by coach Sebastian Hoeneß, ran to their supporters, celebrating wildly amid flares, fireworks, and cheers. Police and security personnel formed a barrier between the jubilant crowd and the players, ensuring order amid the chaos of celebration.
Stuttgart chairman Alexander Wehrle lauded the team’s historic achievement. “We've written history today. The guys can be proud of what they delivered. There's no way we're going to bed tonight,” he declared.
Coach Hoeneß, who was previously at the helm of Bayern Munich’s reserve team, echoed the sentiment in his post-match remarks. “We always had the feeling that we were on the right path,” he said. “Even if the results didn't always go our way or weren't understandable, it was important for us to stay cool and believe in ourselves. And then the results came, which helped.”
Hoeneß' press conference was interrupted by an exuberant squad, dousing their coach in beer before carrying him off to continue the celebrations. The German Cup victory adds to his growing list of achievements, having also led Stuttgart to second place in the Bundesliga this season, despite a rocky patch marked by a record six consecutive home losses.
Notably, this German Cup title adds to the legacy of Stuttgart, whose last cup-winning coach was Joachim Löw, later famous for guiding Germany to a World Cup triumph in 2014.
Looking ahead, Bielefeld is scheduled to face Sportfreunde Lotte in the rescheduled Westphalia Cup final on Thursday. Though their dream run in the German Cup ended in disappointment, their remarkable journey has cemented their place in the history books.
For Deniz Undav, however, the night was more than just a victory — it was a jubilant assertion of identity on the global stage. His Kurdish dance did not just mark a goal; it marked a moment of cultural triumph.
Kurdistan24's correspondent from Germany Shawqi Kanabi contributed to this report.
