SV 98 had a successful first half of the season and will spend the winter break in third place in the table. Between home strength and bad luck hitting the woodwork: In which statistics does Florian Kohfeldt's team excel – and where do they fall short? Here are the top facts from the first half of the 2025/26 season.
For everyone who carries the Lily in their heart, spirits soar when it’s finally match day again at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, the team takes to the pitch, and „The Sun Is Shining“ blares from the speakers. But it’s not just the external circumstances that have made these moments special nine times already in the current second-division season – the performances of Florian Kohfeldt’s team on the field have also been impressive. Six victories have been celebrated together with the fans, and the Lilies have drawn three times. In front of their home crowd, SV 98 has left the stadium with points in every single match at the Bölle. The blue-and-whites have been unbeaten at home since May 3, 2025. A total of 21 points and a goal difference of 18:8 put Darmstadt at the top of the home table after 17 matchdays – Schalke, who are level on points in second place, have played one fewer home game.
Isac Lidberg is often in the spotlight. Why? Because the Swede poses a constant threat whenever he gets near the opposing penalty area. He’s already beaten opposing goalkeepers eleven times. Only Younes Ebnoutalib of SV Elversberg has scored more (12) – although he has also played one more game than the Darmstadt striker.
Lidberg demonstrated the energy and motivation he’s brought to this season right from the first matchday. In the 4-1 victory against Bundesliga relegated side VfL Bochum, he found the back of Timo Horn’s net three times.
However, Lidberg isn’t a one-man show; he harmonises superbly with his attacking teammates. Together with Killian Corredor (5) and Fraser Hornby (4), the trio has amassed 20 goals. Together with Naatan Skyttä, Ivan Prtajin and Maron Ritter from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, they form the most dangerous offensive trio in the league.
Even though the attacking trio mentioned above has repeatedly been in the spotlight this season, the defence, led by goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen, has also played a crucial role in SV Darmstadt 98’s strong first half of the season. The Lilies‘ captain has only conceded 17 goals, giving his team the fourth-best defence in the league at the winter break. Only Schalke 04 (10), Elversberg (15), and Hertha BSC (16) have conceded fewer.
Schuhen has kept a clean sheet in seven of the 17 matches played so far. This is the most clean sheet record in the first half of the season since 2014/15, when there were nine. Only Tjark Ernst of Hertha BSC and Loris Karius, goalkeeper for league leaders Schalke 04, have more clean sheets to date (both with nine).
In terms of points, Darmstadt 98 are at the bottom of one statistic – but in one of the few tables where they’re happy to occupy that position: the fair play table. Because SV 98 is the fairest team in the league. The South Hessians have only received 24 yellow cards so far – ten fewer than Eintracht Braunschweig, who, although they top the table, have received the second fewest cautions. Only once has a Darmstadt player received a yellow-red card, and not a single player under coach Florian Kohfeldt has been sent off with a straight red card.
The Blue-Whites fell behind six times in the first half of the season. Nevertheless, the Lilies only lost twice. In the other four matches, the team around captain Marcel Schuhen showed resilience and turned deficits into victories. This means SV 98 has already collected 12 points after falling behind – the best record in the league.
Darmstadt’s attack already boasts impressive statistics, but with a bit more luck in front of goal, their tally could be even higher. In their 17 matches so far, the ball has struck the post or crossbar nine times after a shot from the South Hessian side. Only Hannover 96 has hit the woodwork more often, with eleven shots.
Hannover 96, SC Paderborn, and Arminia Bielefeld have each been awarded five penalties this season – the most in the league. SV Darmstadt 98, on the other hand, despite scoring 29 goals, have yet to receive a single penalty. Along with Karlsruher SC, Darmstadt are the only team in the league where no player has yet taken a penalty.
It’s not the most kilometres, but the right metres that make the difference. A look at the statistics illustrates this: While Darmstadt 98 currently sits in third place in the league standings, their total distance covered—1,960 kilometers—places them third from last in the league.
Florian Kohfeldt’s approach of adapting the tactical setup to the situation is clearly evident here. At times, the focus is on defending a lead from a deeper defensive line. At other times, however, Darmstadt 98 employs collective pressing to force turnovers through targeted runs and quickly transition into attack.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
|
Home |
9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 18:8 |
|
Away |
8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11:9 |
|
Overall |
17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 29:17 |
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: