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 |
Darmstadt 98 lost to Hannover 96 while playing with ten men and must continue to wait for their first win of this second division season. Read our analysis to find out what positives remain and why Darmstadt 98 had factored in setbacks on their chosen path.
Around the time of the home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), the Jonathan Heimes Square was officially inaugurated. Before kickoff, club president Markus Pfitzner and Martin Heimes, father of Jonathan Heimes, who died of cancer about ten years ago, gave speeches highlighting "Johnny's" importance and his commitment to people with cancer.
The Lilien Team Marathon is not just about athletic performance and the shared experience around the Böllenfalltor stadium – but also about making a difference together.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team drew 2-2 (0-1) against SV Unter-Flockenbach. After a heated home game, the young Lilies had to settle for a frustrating, but ultimately deserved, draw. In this extremely balanced league, Patrick Kurt's team continues to grow week by week, gaining valuable experience.
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.
