BRAUNSCHWEIG, Germany (AP) — Stuttgart’s German Cup title defense started with a drama-filled 8-7 win on penalties over Eintracht Braunschweig on Tuesday after their game ended 4-4 following extra time.

New signing Lorenz Assignon struck Stuttgart’s winning penalty – the 20th of the shootout – after Alexander Nübel had already saved three for the visitors.

“I think the fans enjoyed it more than we did on the field,” said Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirović, who scored two goals in normal time as well as a penalty in the shootout.

Braunschweig, which made a good start to the second division with two wins from three games, showed straight away it was not overawed by the defending champion.

Sven Köhler put the home side ahead early with a strike from distance that Nübel should have kept o

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