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.
Paul Will will no longer play for SV 98. The midfielder is moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, the club where the 27-year-old already played on loan during the second half of the previous season. Both clubs have agreed on a permanent transfer.
Throughout its eventful history, SV Darmstadt 98 has gone through many different eras. Yet, the Lily has been a constant companion throughout. It is the symbol that has united the club for generations. The home jersey for the 2026/27 season is therefore a tribute to the Lily—a mark of tradition, yet also an emblem of the current era.
A special honour for Anne Baumann. During the official opening of the Heinerfest on Thursday (July 2nd), the Darmstadt native was honored as a "committed Heinerin."
Southern Hesse’s largest choir! On December 22, 2026, the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor will once again be filled with Christmas spirit as the great Darmstadt Christmas Sing-Along—presented by Merck—takes place for the third time. Advance ticket sales begin on Friday (July 3 at 12:00pm), both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion. We have summarised all further details for you in this announcement.
The 76th Darmstadt Heinerfest is just around the corner, and naturally, the Lilies will be part of the action—we’ll be covering it. Meanwhile, on Saturday (July 4th), SV Darmstadt 98 will play their first friendly of this summer’s pre-season against SG Arheilgen, featuring debuts for new signings and the unveiling of the new kit. In "Lilies Across the Board," we bring you all the latest news and updates from within the club.
The Bundesliga e.V. released the fixture list for the upcoming 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season on Thursday midday (July 2nd). The Lilies will kick off the new season with a home match against Holstein Kiel at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor (August 8th or 9th). SV Darmstadt 98’s first away trip follows a week later on Matchday 2, taking them to Dynamo Dresden.
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
On Sunday afternoon (June 28th), head coach Florian Kohfeldt gathered his squad for the first training session of the pre-season in 35-degree heat. The opening session is always a special occasion, but this year it had a unique twist: the "Lilies" did not train in their usual surroundings at the Böllenfalltor, but rather at the SV Winterkasten grounds in the Odenwald region—watched by more than 400 spectators who attended the roughly 90-minute session.
There continues to be movement in the Lilien's attack. SV 98 has signed Ibrahim El Kadiri from the Dutch club De Graafschap Doetinchem.
SV 98 can announce another new signing ahead of the start of training on Sunday (June 28). Lars Kehl is joining the "Lilies" from VfL Osnabrück on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.
It was an early start on Thursday morning (June 25th) as SV Darmstadt 98 kicked off their 2026 summer pre-season. The goalkeepers were expected at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor just before 7am, with many other players following shortly thereafter. Yet, despite the early hour, a cheerful Marcel Schuhen jogged from the car park to the team building, flashing a broad grin as he held up an "eight" for the camera. "Today marks the eighth time in a row that I’m starting summer pre-season with the Lilies," smiled the SV 98 captain; under contract at the "Bölle" since 2019, he is the longest-serving player in the current squad.
