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.
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.
