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.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.