Bayer, Schalke, Cologne reach German Cup semis
( 2002-01-31 10:05 ) (7 )

Dimitar Berbatov (L) and Ulf Kirsten of German first division soccer team Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates Berbatov's goal against 1860 Munich during their German soccer association (DFB) cup quarter final match in Leverkusen January 30, 2002.

League leaders Bayer Leverkusen and cup holders Schalke 04 reached the semifinals of the German Cup on Wednesday while Cologne came from a goal behind to defeat Hertha Berlin in extra-time.

Leverkusen, without Brazilian defender Lucio or German striker Oliver Neuville, eventually made easy work of 1860 Munich winning 3-0 after a tough first half.

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov celebrated his 21st birthday in fine style, providing their two openers, before substitute Thomas Brdaric knocked in a third.

Cup holders Schalke, after thrashing league and European Champions League holders Bayern Munich 5-1 on Saturday, made harder work of their tie against the second division's bottom club Rot-Weiss Oberhausen.

A Joerg Boehme penalty in the 30th minute was all that separated the sides until four minutes from time when veteran Andreas Moeller slotted in a second.

Hertha Berlin looked to be set for a 1-0 victory over Cologne, who sacked coach Ewald Lienen on Monday, until Marc Zellweger equalised for the visitors five minutes from time to take the tie into extra time.

Cologne, third from bottom in the Bundesliga, then took the initiative and Dirk Lottmar scored just before the break of extra-time to put them through and provide some relief from their league worries.

Bayern Munich were visiting Kaiserslautern in the remaining quarter-final being played later on Wednesday.