It's that time of year again! The Lilies will begin the first round of the DFB-Pokal (German Cup). This coming Saturday (August 16th, 6pm), SV 98 will face regional league side VfB Lübeck. Before kickoff at the Lohmühle Stadium, we'll reveal some interesting facts and figures: What are the cup histories of both teams? And which of the 98ers' squad has the most experience in domestic cup competitions? Together with you, we'll take a look at the top facts about the match.
When VfB Lübeck and SV Darmstadt 98 meet in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Saturday (August 16th), it will be a historic event: This will be the first time the two clubs have faced each other in a competitive match. However, a trip to the far north is nothing new for the Lilies. In the recent past of the competition, the South Hesse team has had to compete in the northern states several times. Just last season, their journey took them to Hamburg to face Teutonia Ottensen in the first round, before an away match at SV Werder Bremen in the round of 16.
VfB Lübeck’s first DFB-Pokal match took place in the 1954/55 season. Back then, the northern Germans won 2-1 after extra time away at Spandauer SV. In their cup history, the team has scored 54 goals to date. The top scorers are Dennis Kruppke and Ferydoon Zandi with three goals each, followed by Daniel Bärwolf, Jens Scharping, Lutz Schwerinski and Peter Perlmann, who each scored twice. In addition, 13 goals were scored in penalty shootouts. Nine matches were decided in extra time, four of which VfB won and five went to their opponents. Four times the match went to penalties, with Lübeck winning only once and losing three times. The record holder for DFB-Pokal appearances is Lübeck’s former midfielder Markus Kullig with 13 matches.
VfB Lübeck’s most successful cup season to date dates back to the 2003/04 season. In the opening round, the Lübeck team beat Eintracht Rheine 2-0 after extra time. Another thriller followed in the second round: VfB again won in extra time against FC St. Pauli, this time 3-2. The round of 16 saw the northern Germans face Bundesliga side SC Freiburg, who they defeated 1-0 at their home stadium at the Lohmühle. In the quarterfinals, Lübeck prevailed against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, before losing 3-2 in extra time in the semifinals to eventual champions SV Werder Bremen.
The 2003/04 cup season, in particular, is likely still fondly remembered by Lübeck fans. Back then, VfB delivered a moment of sporting glory. The present, however, is more sober: Lübeck has been a fixture in the fourth-highest division of German football for over a decade. Exceptions are the 2013/14 season in the Schleswig-Holstein League and the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons in the 3. Liga. Otherwise, the Schleswig-Holsteiners have been a familiar face in the Regionalliga Nord for decades. The start to the current season has been rather rocky: After three matches, VfB is in 13th place in the table with one win and two losses.
VfB Lübeck has one thing ahead of the Lilies: In their long DFB-Pokal history, the Darmstadt team has never made it past the quarterfinals. The South Hesse club celebrated their greatest success in the 1987/88 season, when they reached the quarterfinals under coach Eckhard Krautzun. However, they were eliminated there after a 1-0 defeat to Hamburger SV. SV 98 has qualified for the round of 16 eight times, most recently in the 2024/25 season. The Lilies first prevailed against Teutonia Ottensen and Dynamo Dresden before being eliminated in the round of 16 by Werder Bremen.
Fabian Holland has the most cup experience for SV Darmstadt 98 in the current squad. The defender has already made an impressive 16 appearances for the Lilies in the DFB Cup. With another appearance this weekend, he would overtake Tobias Kempe (also 16 appearances). Dieter Rudolf and Edwin Westenberger are the leaders for the South Hesse club in this category. They have played 20 times for SV 98 in the DFB Cup. Willi Wagner (19 appearances) and Oliver Posniak (17 appearances) are also ahead of Fabian Holland and Tobias Kempe.
After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.