The DFB Cup holds plenty of excitement for Freiburg and Darmstadt: While SC Freiburg is on a long scoring streak but has a shaky record against lower-league opponents, Darmstadt dreams of only the second quarter-final appearance in the club's history. Here you'll find the top facts about the cup match on Wednesday (December 3rd/6pm) between SV Darmstadt 98 and SC Freiburg.
Darmstadt is dreaming of a historic success. The team from southern Hesse has only reached the DFB Cup quarterfinals once before – almost 40 years ago. In the 1986/87 season, they were guests of Fortuna Köln in the round of 16. After 90 minutes, neither side had scored, so extra time was required! In extra time, Bruno Labbadia’s brace sent the Lilies into the quarterfinals. There, they were eliminated 1-0 by Hamburger SV.
SC Freiburg has displayed impressive offensive consistency in the DFB Cup for years: the club has scored in each of its last 18 matches – a current club record. Only Bayer 04 Leverkusen (39) and 1. FC Köln (19) currently have longer streaks. During this successful period, the Breisgau side reached the cup final for the first time in their history in 2022, only to lose to RB Leipzig on penalties. A year later, they even made it to the semi-finals again. Freiburg’s last cup match without scoring was almost five years ago: in December 2020, they were eliminated in the second round with a 2-0 defeat to VfB Stuttgart.
Matej Maglica is proving his quality from corner kicks in this cup campaign. The 27-year-old central defender for SV Darmstadt 98 scored from a corner in both the first and second rounds – his first two goals ever in the DFB Cup. With his two goals, Maglica is tied with Fraser Hornby at the top of the club’s cup scoring charts.
SC Freiburg is making its 26th appearance in the DFB Cup as a Bundesliga team this season – but its record against lower-league opponents remains a weakness. Of its 25 previous appearances, the club has been eliminated 13 times by lower-division teams. In those 13 matches, Freiburg suffered eight defeats against second-division sides. The most recent of these defeats dates back two years: Freiburg was knocked out in the second round, losing 1-3 at home to SC Paderborn.
SV Darmstadt 98 delivered a convincing performance in the second round of the DFB Cup. The Lilies cruised to a 4-0 victory against Schalke 04 – no other team in this round had won by a larger margin. This means Darmstadt, as in the previous season, have once again reached the round of 16. However, in the 2024/25 season, this run ended in defeat: During their away match in Bremen, the Lilies lost 1-0 to a late goal from Anthony Jung – now with SC Freiburg. The decisive goal came in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 23:19 |
|
Away |
15 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 18:24 |
|
Overall |
32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 41:43 |
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.
