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 |
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.
