Borussia Dortmund’s German Cup quarter-final at third-tier Sportfreunde Lotte was postponed yesterday after heavy snowfall made the pitch unplayable, the German football association (DFB) said.

It started to snow in the afternoon and the pitch was quickly blanketed, forcing organisers to postpone the match after discussions with the DFB, referee Felix Brych and team officials.

“We saw the pitch ourselves and thought that the decision was justified,” said Dortmund captain Marcel Schmelzer.

“We returned to the changing rooms. No football game can be played here.

“We fully agree and understand the decision.”

The DFB said the game would take place as soon as possible.

Eintracht Frankfurt reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in a decade after Danny Blum scored in the sixth minute to give them a 1-0 victory over second division Arminia Bielefeld.

The game also marked the return of Frankfurt’s Marco Russ, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and received treatment before being given a clean bill of health. He came on as a late substitute to a standing ovation.

Holders Bayern Munich face Schalke 04 in their quarter-final today while Hamburg SV entertain Borussia Moen-chengladbach in the other last-eight clash.