10 Years at Darmstadt: Anniversary Portrait of Fabian Holland

Review. Originally from Berlin, but long since a real Darmstadt native. But how did the left defender end up at the Böllenfalltor? The origins of the Lilien captain’s football career lie with FSV Forst Borgsdorf – around 30 kilometers from central Berlin and still with grateful memories. In a kind of time travel, Holland even returned to the green and white colours of his youth club when all SV Darmstadt 98 players ran onto the pitch in the jerseys of their youth clubs at “Amateur Day 2022”. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if these clubs didn’t exist,” said Holland, commenting on the campaign.

Later – in 2004 – the left-footer moved from Brandenburg to the youth academy of Hertha BSC, where he would lay the foundations of his career for almost a decade. So he went through all the youth teams and moved up to the Hertha reserves, where he established himself as a regular player. But that’s not enough. As a 22-year-old at the time, he made his debut for the Hertha BSC professional team on April 21, 2012 in the Bundesliga home game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Overall, he played for the capital’s professionals for a good three seasons and played a total of 25 games before finally moving on to Darmstadt.

Böllenfalltor. Fabian Holland’s story with the Lilies began in the 2014/15 season – first round in the DFB Cup against VfL Wolfsburg. His first appearance as a loan player in the SV Darmstadt 98 jersey. On August 17, 2014, he entered the pitch in the Merk Stadium at Böllenfalltor for the first time – but unfortunately without success that day. Holland and the Lilies had to admit defeat 4-5 on penalties against the top-class team around Kevin De Bruyne and Co. at the time. Despite the defeat, an impressive experience for the left-back. “It’s really cool what you can experience here,” he said, describing his first impressions of his new home.

In his first season in South Hesse, Holland played a total of 27 competitive games, scored one goal and was rewarded with promotion to the elite of German football with the Lilies. He shouldn’t leave it at that. Because at the end of the 2015/16 season, Holland and Co. also secured safety in the Bundesliga, which was initially only thought possible by the extreme optimists. The beginning of a long Lily career. On July 5, 2015, he signed his first permanent contract at the Böllenfalltor and from then on firmly established himself in the Darmstadt team. With a total of 296 appearances in the blue and white jersey and a total playing time of 26,012 minutes, Holland is currently in fourth place in SV Darmstadt 98’s all-time record player list.

This means that Holland can definitely be described as a veteran in the current squad – a real Lily connoisseur. Ten years of Darmstadt 98, ten years of ups and downs. He experienced the development of the sports club first hand and continued to develop himself season after season. Today Holland is not just a left-back. He can be used flexibly in defense – whether in the left position, in the six or, more rarely, as a central defender. And so it’s no coincidence that he has quickly gained the trust of the team and fans. He initially became captain Aytac Sulu’s right-hand man and took on responsibility in the role of co-captain. He later led the team onto the field himself wearing the captain’s armband.

“Going to Darmstadt in 2014 was one of the best decisions of my life. It’s still great fun. “The Lily on my chest and being able to lead this club onto the field,” emphasised Holland during his last contract extension in December 2022. He is a leader and moves forward – in good times as well as in bad times. Because even in less successful phases, he never changes his positive attitude towards life. “After all, it’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re spending the day with 25 friends,” the captain once said about the inner workings of the Lilien team.

At the end of the 2022/23 season, the captain returned to the big Bundesliga stage with SV Darmstadt 98, when the Darmstadt team made it into the top German league early in the final spurt of the season. The decisive 33rd matchday was of great importance for head coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team. The Lilies secured their long-awaited promotion with a narrow 1-0 win against 1. FC Magdeburg. Holland remembered the strenuous, emotional and almost unbearable last minutes on the field: “Every situation, every minute was simply far too long in that moment.” But the final whistle and the certainty are even better. The Lilien fans carried their captain in their hands through the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor. “These moments are the ones that no one can take away from you and that make this sport so incredible,” said Holland, looking back emotionally on this special day.

During the last Bundesliga season, the left-back started 23 games. With his total of 66 first division appearances for SV Darmstadt 98 in the Bundesliga, he is the Lilies‘ record player in the German top league. On April 14th of this year, Holland was seriously injured in the home game against SC Freiburg and had to sit out from then on due to a torn cruciate ligament and medial ligament. No longer on the field, but always close to the team – that’s him, the captain. During his forced break, Holland always attended numerous Lilien games and supported his teammates from the stands. “In terms of sport, this season didn’t go as planned. But I will always fondly remember the solidarity in the club, the fans and the entire team and it makes me incredibly proud to be a part of this club!” wrote Holland on his Instagram profile towards the end of last season.

We congratulate you, dear Fabian Holland, on your tenth Lily anniversary and wish you a fast recovery. The entire SVD family very much hopes that we will see you again soon on the pitch in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Get well soon, Captain!