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 |
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.