SV Darmstadt 98 aims to extend their home record. However, the task ahead is a tough one: As the league's best home team, the Lilies host Hannover 96, the second-best away team and also their direct rivals in the standings. Both teams are deservedly in the top third of the table, having impressed both offensively and defensively. We've compiled all the key facts and figures for Saturday evening's second division clash. Here you'll find the top facts about the match between the team from southern Hesse and the Lower Saxony side.
Saturday evening. 8:30pm. Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. This scenario will likely be familiar to anyone whose heart beats for Darmstadt 98. The match against Hannover 96 is already the sixth home game at this time of year for the team from southern Hesse. Of the five previous encounters, Florian Kohfeldt’s team has emerged victorious three times and drawn twice. In fact, Darmstadt 98 is the only team in the top two leagues still undefeated at home. They have recorded ten wins and four draws. In their 14 home games, they have scored a total of 29 goals, and goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen has kept seven clean sheets. Hannover, on the other hand, is particularly impressive away from home. They have scored at least once in every away game and have even scored more than once in eleven of their 14 matches. Only Hertha BSC has a better away record.
The team from southern Hesse scored 50 goals – the most in the current second division season. Hannover has found the net 47 times, but generates the greatest overall scoring threat with an expected goals (EGG) of 59.5. However, Christian Titz’s team has the weakest finishing efficiency. Benjamin Källman is not only Hannover’s top scorer, but also the third-highest scorer in the league. He hasn’t scored in six games, though he only came off the bench in the last two competitive matches. Nevertheless, his 13 goals this season have amply demonstrated his goalscoring prowess.
Both teams have not only consistently showcased their attacking qualities, but have also performed more than adequately defensively. Marcel Schuhen has conceded 32 goals. Hannover has allowed 35 goals, while the league average is 41.
Three players will be unavailable for this match due to yellow card suspensions. Darmstadt will be missing two key players: Isac Lidberg, who has already scored 14 goals for the home side, and Kai Klefisch, a tireless midfielder who averages 12.18 kilometres per game. Hannover will also be without a player. Daisuke Yokota, a winger for Hannover, will also be watching from the stands. This season, he has only been an unused substitute twice and was not even in the squad once – in the first leg against Darmstadt.
SV 98 has won ten of its last 13 competitive matches against Hannover 96, and Darmstadt head coach Florian Kohfeldt also has fond memories of encounters with the Lower Saxony side. He celebrated his first Bundesliga victory against Hannover with Werder Bremen in 2017, and with Darmstadt he has also won all three matches against the current fifth-placed team.
The first game had already provided plenty of excitement. Darmstadt took an early lead at the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena, then conceded two goals before Corredor leveled the score once again. The longer the game went on, the more frantic it became. Both teams were desperate for the three points and increasingly opened up their defences. Then, in the 94th minute: the ball came to Killian Corredor, who backheeled it to Hiroki Akiyama. The Japanese player fired the ball against the inside of the post, from where it bounced into the net. A liberating goal, and so the three points finally made their way to southern Hesse.
Time and again, the ball rattles the opposing goal whenever a Darmstadt player tries to put the ball in the net. The South Hessians have already been unlucky enough to hit the woodwork 16 times. Hannover have struck the crossbar or post just as often. The first game is a prime example. There, the spectators not only witnessed five goals, but also saw the ball hit the woodwork five times – a season record for a single match.
Hannover 96 coach Christian Titz has a clear vision of how he wants his team to play, and this is reflected in the statistics. His players are dominant and, with 56 percent possession, have the most of the ball in the second division. This is also due to their exceptional ball control. Hannover boasts the best pass completion rate in the league at 86 percent.
Three players from southern Hesse are carrying four yellow cards ahead of the match against Titz’s team: Fraser Hornby, Merveille Papela, and Aleksandar Vukotic.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 25:14 |
|
Away |
15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 27:27 |
|
Overall |
29 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 52:41 |
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.