Borussia Dortmund, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Hamburger SV and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim became the first four clubs to reach the quarter-finals of the German Cup.

Borussia Dortmund, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Hamburger SV and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim all booked their places in the quarter-finals of the German Cup on Tuesday.

Winners in 2012, Dortmund were eliminated in the final eight by FC Bayern München last season but have the chance to set that right this term after prevailing at third division outfit 1. FC Saarbrücken. Julian Schieber's header and a second goal of the season for promising 21-year-old Jonas Hofmann gave the Schwarz-gelben a 2-0 win.

The upset of the round so far came in Gelsenkirchen, where FC Schalke 04 succumbed 3-1 at home against Hoffenheim. Kai Herdling, Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino all struck for the visitors inside the first 35 minutes, and although Jefferson Farfán pulled one back for the beleaguered hosts, the deficit proved too great.

Hamburg were a first-round casualty in this competition last season, but their fine run this time around continued with a 2-1 win against 1. FC Köln. Ivo Iličević was the hero, hitting the winner four minutes from time.

Kaiserslautern completed the night's success stories, easing past 1. FC Union Berlin 3-0 in the capital.