VfL Bochum managed to play in the top flight for four consecutive years. However, last season saw a painful relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Now the Westphalians are looking to get back on the attack in the new season. On Saturday (August 3rd, 1pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will host VfL Bochum at home in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. We've compiled the most important facts and figures for you ahead of the 17th meeting between the two teams, before the first game of the season.
The Lilies can look back on a pleasing home record against VfL Bochum. In a total of eight home matches against the Westphalians, they have won four, drawn two, and lost only twice. In the 2. Bundesliga, SV 98 suffered only one home defeat against VfL – on September 10, 2017.
The most recent Bundesliga encounter, from the 2023/24 season, will also likely remain a positive memory for Lilies fans: Despite falling behind 2-0 away in Bochum, the Lilies showed great morale and secured a point with a 2-2 draw.
VfL Bochum is one of the top favourites for promotion in this second division season, as Florian Kohfeldt also noted at the press conference before the match. This claim is also historically substantiated: Bochum has made the jump from the 2. Bundesliga to the Bundesliga a total of seven times in its club history. Only 1. FC Nürnberg and Arminia Bielefeld have surpassed this record with eight promotions each.
VfL Bochum’s efficiency in achieving direct promotion is particularly remarkable. The Westphalians have returned to the top flight five times immediately after relegation – more than any other team in German professional football.
Both clubs announced significant new signings this summer with real pedigree – both athletically and literally of considerable stature.
Central defender Patric Pfeiffer celebrated his return to SV Darmstadt 98. The 1.96-meter-tall defender returned to the South Hesse club after a two-year absence and brings valuable experience as well as his physical presence.
VfL Bochum also strengthened its defense: Kevin Vogt, 1.94 meters tall and once trained at VfL, is back in the jersey of his boyhood club after many years in professional football.
A look at the previous duels between Darmstadt and Bochum suggests a close match: Only four of the 16 previous encounters have ended with a difference of more than one goal. Not a single game has been decided by a difference of more than two goals. A quick side note: Whenever there was a two-goal difference, Darmstadt always emerged victorious…
Only one player in this matchup knows the feeling of having played for both teams: Gerrit Holtmann. He wore the Lilies‘ jersey in the second half of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season while on loan from VfL Bochum. During this period, the winger made a total of ten appearances for SV Darmstadt 98.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
| Home | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12:6 |
| Away | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9:12 |
| Overall | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 21:18 |
After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.