Bayern Munich joined Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the final of the German Cup with a 3-0 win over stubborn third-division St. Pauli on Wednesday.

Owen Hargreaves surprised the keeper with a shot that squeezed in from 30 metres in the 15th minute and Claudio Pizarro scored twice in the last six minutes to seal a highly professional win over the third division side.

"It was really hard work," said Bayern coach Felix Magath. "St. Pauli are as strong as the professional teams and they fought for the whole 90 minutes."

St Pauli beat Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen on their way to the semi-finals and the fans, many waving the pirate "Jolly Roger" flag that is the club's symbol, had reason for confidence when Bayern made a nervous start.

Owen Hargreaves settled Bayern's nerves by striking an early goal on the quarter hour mark with his 25 yard dipping shot proving too hot to handle.

St. Pauli had one decent chance in the first half when Michel Mazingu finished off a sweeping move with a volley that Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn saved comfortably enough.

They came even closer to an equaliser 10 minutes after the break when Kahn pulled off a brilliant save at full stretch to keep out a Felix Luz header.

There were several more nervous moments for Bayern from set pieces before Pizarro gratefully tapped in after the ball had fallen at his feet from a Hargreaves corner.

"We were brilliant. Our aim was to get under Bayern's skins and we certainly did that," said Pauli coach Andreas Bergmann.

"We had our chances but could not take any of them. However We are proud to have got this far and to have pushed a class team like Bayern."

Wednesday's victory over St. Pauli keeps Bayern on track for a 13th Cup win. They will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the final at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on April 29.

Editor: Donald