Seven points from three matches and still undefeated: SV Darmstadt 98 are in good form at the start of the league season. The last time the Lilies experienced such a high-scoring start was in the 2017/18 season. Back then, under coach Torsten Frings, they even managed three wins and a draw from their first four matches. Whether the Lilies can repeat that haul at the start of the 2025/26 season will be decided next Sunday (August 31st, 1:30pm), when Darmstadt 98 travels to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. You can read about other interesting statistics from Matchday 4 of the 2nd Bundesliga in our Top Facts section.
The Betzenberg is considered 1. FC Kaiserslautern’s life insurance for a reason: The Palatinate club has earned 17 of its last 18 points at home across all seasons – including all three points this season. With a total of 23 home points in the 2025 calendar year, FCK also shares the league record with Karlsruher SC. For the Lilies, however, the Betzenberg has been a difficult place to be: in six attempts, they have yet to manage an away win in Kaiserslautern. Florian Kohfeldt’s team will do everything they can to finally break this streak on Sunday.
1. FC Kaiserslautern has struggled to score open play so far. Their only two goals have come from the penalty spot. All other second-division teams have scored at least once from open play.
Even after their home game against Hertha, SV Darmstadt 98 remained undefeated – like only Hannover 96 and Karlsruher SC have done this season. The last time the Lilies had such a good start was eight years ago under coach Torsten Frings. Back then, the Darmstadt team recorded two wins and a draw in the first three matchdays, as well as a 2-1 away victory at MSV Duisburg on the fourth matchday. Should this result be repeated next Sunday (August 31st) in Kaiserslautern, no Lilies fan would be likely to object…
After three matchdays, SV Darmstadt 98 boasts two league leaders: Isac Lidberg leads the scoring chart thanks to his hat trick against VfL Bochum. But a striker only shines when he also provides assists – and that’s where Fraser Hornby comes in. With two assists, he’s currently one of the league’s top providers, along with Laurin Curda and Rico Preißinger. Luca Marseiler will also be particularly motivated going into Sunday’s clash: He scored two of his three goals in the 2. Bundesliga against 1. FC Kaiserslautern – last season, he even scored in both games against the Red Devils.
The clash with 1. FC Kaiserslautern offers several special reunions for the Lilies. Two Red Devils have a history with SV Darmstadt 98. Perhaps the most prominent connection is Torsten Lieberknecht: The current FCK coach led the Lilies to the Bundesliga in the 2022/23 season, playing a key role in an unforgettable promotion. After 112 games as head coach, his tenure ended almost exactly a year ago. Frank Ronstadt will also face many familiar faces on Sunday. The 27-year-old defender made 44 competitive appearances for SV 98 – in the 2. Bundesliga, the Bundesliga, and the DFB-Pokal – before joining Kaiserslautern in January 2024.
Darmstadt also has a connection to their upcoming opponent: Paul Will remembers 1. FC Kaiserslautern from his youth days. Between 2015 and 2018, the native of Central Hesse wore the Red Devils‘ jersey and scored twelve goals and provided eight assists in 73 matches for the U17 and U19 teams. He then moved to FC Bayern Munich’s reserve team.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
| Home | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17:7 |
| Away | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6:11 |
| Overall | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 23:18 |
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: