On Easter Sunday (April 20th, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt would like to extend their streak of three home wins without conceding a goal. To do so, the Lilies will face a defensively strong Hannover side at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. To maintain the positive momentum from their recent games, every bit of support counts—and to ensure you're well prepared for the home game at Böllenfalltor, we've provided you with the most important facts and figures.
Home strength! The Lilies have won all of their last three home games – and kept a clean sheet. First 2-0 against Schalke, then 3-0 against Karlsruhe, and 1-0 against Fürth. The last time they achieved such a home streak was in autumn 2021, when Darmstadt even managed five consecutive home wins without conceding a goal. Only Hannover (6) and Nürnberg (4) have recorded a longer winning streak at home this season. However, it’s not just their home strength that should encourage the Lilies‘ fans; In recent history, Darmstadt has always looked good against the 96ers: Darmstadt have won four of their last six encounters against Hannover, including the 2-1 away victory in the first leg.
Both teams have been extremely strong at defending set pieces this season. Darmstadt 98 and Hannover 96 are among the top three teams when it comes to goals conceded from set pieces. The Lilies rank third in this category with seven goals conceded from set pieces, while the Lower Saxony team is in second place with one fewer goal – only HSV (5) has conceded fewer. Hannover is not only the best at set pieces, but also at the front: The 96ers have scored eight times from corners – the best stat in the 2. Bundesliga.
Looking at the picture, the question seems easy to answer. Hannover 96 has the best defence in the 2. Bundesliga, having conceded just 30 goals. SV 98 has conceded 16 more this season. However, you could also look at it from a different perspective. Darmstadt’s opponents have a lower expected goals value (37.5) than Hannover 96’s opponents (45.25). This means that the Lilies concede significantly fewer high-quality scoring opportunities than Hannover. This means that Hannover’s offence will need to be ruthless against the Lilies‘ defence.
After 1. FC Kaiserslautern (1), Hannover 96 has the best counter-attack defence in the league: only twice has an opponent’s counterattack resulted in a goal. However, the strength of the Lower Saxony team’s defence will be revealed against Darmstadt. After all, the Lilies are one of the most effective counter-attacking teams in the 2. Bundesliga. SV 98 have scored six counter-attack goals, making them the third-best counter-attacking team in the competition.
A SV Darmstadt 98 player once wore the Hannover team’s jersey – and for a remarkably long time. Fynn Lakenmacher spent eight years at the 96ers‘ youth academy between 2010 and 2018 before joining TSV Havelse, first for the U19s and later for the senior team.
Philipp Förster is absent due to a yellow card suspension; he received his fifth yellow card in the Hertha match. Aleksandar Vukotic (9), Matej Maglica (4), Fabian Nürnberger (4), Merveille Papela (4), Killian Corredor (4), and Fraser Hornby (4) all have yellow cards. A further yellow card for any of these players would result in a suspension.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
| Home | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 22:13 |
| Away | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 24:25 |
| Total | 27 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 46:38 |
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.
