Woltemade, Stiller shine as Stuttgart's rising stars after German Cup triumph

by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, May 25 (Xinhua) -- As VfB Stuttgart celebrated its German Cup victory on Saturday night, striker Nick Woltemade created a different kind of moment at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

While his teammates reveled with fans, the 23-year-old forward took a quiet moment to console the disappointed Arminia Bielefeld players, recognizing the heartbreak that comes with falling just short.

"I played in the third division only two years ago," said Woltemade, recalling his stint with SV Elversberg. "Therefore, I know how the Bielefeld players must have felt, and I cherish their achievement, having reached the final after a remarkable Cup campaign."

Woltemade is one of Stuttgart's breakout stars this season. Standing 1.98 meters tall, he has impressed with both physical presence and technical ability, earning a place in Germany's national team for the upcoming UEFA Nations League Finals, as well as a call-up to the Under-21 European Championship squad.

Another standout is midfielder Angelo Stiller, who emerged as one of the Bundesliga's top playmakers in the 2024-25 season. The 24-year-old's performances have drawn interest from elite European clubs, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly tracking his progress.

"He has the skill to steer a team and read the game," said Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, who sees both Stiller and Woltemade as central to his squad's revival.

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness has been widely credited for the pair's development. The 43-year-old manager guided Stuttgart to its first German Cup title in 28 years and has been vocal about the need for further investment to keep the club competitive.

"We went through significant development steps, and I intend to continue the way," said Hoeness, who is seen as a steadying force behind Stuttgart's resurgence.

Though reluctant to single out individuals, Hoeness acknowledged the impact of his rising stars.

"I don't like to highlight single players, as team performance is our strength," he said. "But both have developed extraordinarily."

With Stuttgart back in the spotlight, the club faces the challenge of retaining its young talent amid growing attention from Europe's elite - but for now, the Cup win offers both validation and momentum. Enditem