In pictures: Frankfurt's shootout glee in cup semi

After sixteen nerve-wracking spot kicks, you could have cut the tension in Mönchengaldbach with a rusty spoon. This is what relief looked like for the Frankfurt outfielders watching Branimir Hrgota put away their second chance at sealing the shootout. 1-1 after 120 minutes, Frankfurt ultimately won the semifinal shootout 7-6.

The penalty takers were red hot on Tuesday. None of the first 10 shooters missed their mark, almost every shot was unstoppable for the keepers. Substitute Marco Russ - still recuperating after his successful fight with cancer - had the terrifying task of taking the 10th penalty, knowing a miss would mean defeat. He didn't choke.

A save at last! Danish defender Andreas Christensen was the first to put a shot in reasonable reach of a keeper. Cue Lukas Hradecky, who guessed right and smothered the strike.

Cristensen was the 13th to step up to the spot. However, Gladbach were granted a reprieve by their Swiss shot stopper Yann Sommer, who gobbled up the 14th penalty from Guillermo Varela.

Three saves in succession and a brace for Hradecky. This time he went left, again preventing the home side from scoring in sudden death.

Gladbach's 20-year-old Djibril Sow had not been on Dieter Hecking's original list of five shooters. Only three players on either side were spared the stress during the shootout as it transpired.

Astonishing grit from Branimir Hrgota, seen here during his time with Borussia Mönchengladbach, sealing the victory in the stadium where he used to ply his trade. A fringe player for the Foals, Hrgota's getting more game time with Frankfurt.

Frankfurt's fans can now blast along the A2 Autobahn in May, making the pilgrimage to the Olympic Stadium for a clash either against Bayern or Dortmund.

Hrgota's penalty bagged the headlines, but these two arguably had more of an impact for the Eagles. Taleb Tawatha scored the opening goal of the game, but was subbed out later and so never took a penalty. Luckily for him, Hradecky had his back.

Seeking their first German Cup final since 1995, the Foals and their fans had to endure the cruel lottery of shootout elimination. Teammates were quick to console Djibril Sow - not least Andreas Cristensen, whose earlier penalty miss was not punished. A tough night for the 20- and 21-year-olds.

Marius Wolf may not make the trip to Berlin for Frankfurt. He was stretchered off during the game, and is thought to have broken his collarbone. However, he would likely travel with the team. Frankfurt's entire squad - injured personnel like captain Alex Meier, and those who didn't make the cut - were in the stands on Tuesday.

For the second time in the competition, Marco Russ came off the bench late on. Recovering from testicular cancer, the versatile outfielder and his family can now hope for some minutes in the final - and maybe even a ticket to the Europa League if Frankfurt have one more upset in them.

Though unsung among Bundesliga keepers, Hradecky's been a huge Franfkurt figure this season. The Bratislava born 27-year-old with Finnish and Slovak citizenship was outstanding in the last round against lower league Bielefeld, making several key saves in an unimpressive 1-0 win. "We managed to progress thanks to an amazing goalkeeping performance," coach Niko Kovac said at the time. Ditto Tuesday.