Leverkusen out to make amends

Up for the cup
Last season, Schalke made amends for losing the 1. Bundesliga title on the last day by winning the DFB Pokal against 1. FC Union Berlin. Leverkusen face a similar scenario this time round, having finished second behind BV Borussia Dortmund in the championship race.

Domestic duty
Of course, this is not the last chance of silverware for the men from the BayArena. From the Olympiastadion, they will travel to Hampden Park for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final versus Real Madrid CF. But first things first. Leverkusen have just one domestic trophy to their name - the 1993 German Cup. And having come so close to the double, they will not want to be left empty-handed. Veteran striker Ulf Kirsten, who retires next week, said: "We must win at least one title and I believe we will."

Prize scalps
Team-mate Bernd Schneider added: "We have suffered so many setbacks this season and bounced back every time. But the final is wide open. It depends which team is fresher on the day. The chances are 50-50." Still, Klaus Toppmöller's side will be favourites against Schalke, three places below them in the league table. After all, they have beaten FC Barcelona, Juventus FC, Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC already this year.

Blue-and-white ribbons
Nothing can be taken for granted, though, when Rheinland and Ruhr collide. Schalke will not only be flying the flag for the latter region - they will also be looking to put blue-and-white ribbons on the cup for a fourth time. Jörg Böhme, who scored both goals in the 2-0 victory against Union, said: "Three goals would be nice, but we will do everything we can to win."

Nowotny absent
Coach Huub Stevens has a full squad to choose from, with Emile Mpenza partnering Ebbe Sand up front. It will be Stevens's last game before he moves to Hertha BSC Berlin. Toppmöller, meanwhile, is without captain Jens Nowotny who misses out with knee ligament damage.

Sleeping partners
Back to Kirsten: "I will not sleep with the cup if we win. Our injured captain Jens Nowotny deserves to do that." Toppmöller will just be happy to put Leverkusen's long wait for a trophy to bed.