Will the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor remain a fortress against Fortuna Düsseldorf? Will Darmstadt's unbeaten run continue? And can the Rhinelanders once again rely on their solid defence? Ahead of the clash between the two teams next Saturday at noon (February 21st/1pm), we take a look at the most important facts and figures about the match.
There’s no place like home, is there?! SV Darmstadt 98 has collected 27 of its 42 points at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor – placing it top of the 2. Bundesliga home table. Furthermore, the Lilies are the only team in the competition that has yet to lose at home. Across seasons, SVD is unbeaten in twelve home matches. Remarkably, the Lilies have won all of their last five encounters at the Bölle, and their last three home victories were achieved without conceding a single goal. Keep it up, Darmstadt!
Bielefeld, Hannover, Fürth, Elversberg, Karlsruhe, Münster, Paderborn, Bochum, Nürnberg, Hertha, Kaiserslautern, and Braunschweig: a total of twelve teams from the 2. Bundesliga. Yet none of these teams managed to inflict a defeat on SV Darmstadt 98 in the last twelve matchdays. The Lilies are unbeaten in exactly twelve games – six wins, six draws.
A 1-0 win against Arminia Bielefeld. A 2-1 defeat at Hannover 96. A 2-1 win against SC Paderborn. A 1-1 draw at Karlsruher SC. And a 0-0 draw against Preußen Münster. Fortuna Düsseldorf has started the 2026 football year with two wins, two draws, and one loss. Furthermore, Fortuna is unbeaten in three games – the longest such run the Rhinelanders have ever had this season. Particularly noteworthy in the second half of the season is the enormous stabilisation of Fortuna Düsseldorf’s defense. Conceding only four goals in 2026 is the best record in the entire league.
Darmstadt 98 have already shared the points in nine matches – more than any other team in the league. This means they have accumulated as many draws at this stage as they will in the entire 2024/25 season. However, these numerous draws also mean that Darmstadt rarely lose. They have only been defeated twice this season – all other second-division teams have lost at least five times.
With 42 goals this season, SV Darmstadt 98 boasts the best attack in the competition, scoring more than twice as many as Fortuna Düsseldorf (20). And Darmstadt could have scored even more. They hit the woodwork a total of 15 times – the most in the league.
Markus Anfang was the head coach of SV 98 in the 2020/21 season, finishing the campaign in seventh place with 51 points. Assistant coach Florian Junge also worked with him at the Böllenfalltor stadium and will later join Anfang’s team in Düsseldorf.
Semih Güler once wore the Fortuna Düsseldorf jersey as a youth player. The striker played for the Rhineland club’s U17 and U19 teams from 2013 to 2015.
Sergio Lopez and Marco Richter are approaching an anniversary: Both Lilies will celebrate their 50th second division game in an appearance against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Marco Richter and Fraser Hornby are both still on four yellow cards. Another booking would therefore result in a suspension.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
|
Home |
11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 11:21 |
| Away | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 14:22 |
|
Overall |
23 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 25:43 |
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.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.