A special Sunday awaits spectators at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Not only because SC Paderborn is still fighting for promotion and SV Darmstadt 98 wants to secure their fifth place in the table, but also because Fabian Holland will be playing his last game for the Lilies. We've compiled all the facts and figures about the clash between the teams from southern Hesse and East Westphalia for you here. Here you'll find the top facts about the match on Sunday (May 17th/3:30pm).
SV Darmstadt 98 aims to solidify their current fifth-place position in the Bundesliga on this final matchday of the 2025/26 season. However, Hertha BSC is only one point behind the team from southern Hesse and could still climb to fifth place themselves with a win against Arminia Bielefeld if Darmstadt fails to secure a victory. Therefore, this final match of the season is crucial for the Lilies.
SC Paderborn, on the other hand, still has a chance of promotion to the Bundesliga. Currently, SV Elversberg, Hannover 96, and SCP are all tied with 57 points, but Paderborn’s inferior goal difference places them in fourth. To finish in the promotion playoff spot or secure automatic promotion, they need Hannover 96 and/or Elversberg to slip up while simultaneously picking up points themselves.
It’s not just a special game because it’s the final matchday of the season, but also because a very big name is playing his last game for SV Darmstadt 98. FABIAN HOLLAND: He took to the pitch 318 times for the club, sporting the Lily on his chest. And he gave his all every single time. That makes him the fourth-most-appeared player in Darmstadt’s history.
His strength in tackles, yet fair play, usually at left-back, was also evident in this high number of appearances: The Berlin native only received one red card and two yellow-red cards. Furthermore, Holland left his mark on SV 98 with seven goals – many of them spectacular – and 28 assists.
Holland joined SV Darmstadt 98 in 2014 and helped the Lilies achieve promotion to the Bundesliga in 2015. Defying all odds, he secured the team’s Bundesliga survival the following year. In January 2019, the now 35-year-old took over as captain and led the team to promotion back to the top flight in 2023. He retained the captaincy until July 2025 and now retires as a legend and leader of the Lilies.
Currently, Noel Futkeu, striker for SpVgg Greuther Fürth, leads the scoring charts with 18 goals. His closest rivals are Mateusz Zuckowski of 1. FC Magdeburg and Isac Lidberg, both of whom have netted 17 times this season. However, in Sunday’s match between Paderborn and SV 98, another player will be on the pitch who is also near the top of the list. SCP boasts another prolific goalscorer in Filip Bilbija, who, at 26, is currently in fourth place with 15 goals.
Both Paderborn and Darmstadt have scored 57 goals this season. However, their paths to achieving this success differ somewhat. Paderborn created significantly more opportunities, with 60 clear-cut chances and an expected goals (xG) of 64.18, but also failed to capitalise on many of them. In contrast, Florian Kohfeldt’s team only managed 40 clear-cut chances, but were far more clinical in front of goal.
When it comes to set pieces, neither team can compete. Darmstadt have given their fans reason to cheer 19 times from dead-ball situations, with only Ralf Kettemann’s team scoring more goals this way – 22, to be precise. That equates to 39 percent of all Darmstadt’s goals.
Darmstadt have scored the most goals from corner kicks (10), and no other team has scored as many free-kick goals as Florian Kohfeldt’s side (6). However, fourth-placed Paderborn have only conceded one goal from a free kick so far, fewer than any other team.
The Black and Blues are not only impressive from set pieces, but also prove to be extremely dangerous in front of goal from other positions. With a total of eight long-range goals, they score the second-most goals from distance. They also have the most headed shots (101) and have found the net most often in this way (14 times).
But Darmstadt also demonstrate their strength in the air. They have only allowed 61 headed shots, with only two teams facing fewer.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6:5 |
|
Away |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11:15 |
|
Overall |
11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 17:20 |
What about Fabian Holland's availability? What makes number 32 a true Darmstadt legend? How does Florian Kohfeldt view Sunday afternoon's match (May 17th, 3:30pm) against SC Paderborn? And what grade would he give the 2025/26 season? Many questions, detailed answers. We've compiled the most important statements from Darmstadt's head coach at Friday's (May 15th) press conference for you.
SV 98 will bid farewell to a total of six players around the time of their final home game against SC Paderborn (May 17th/3:30pm).
The situation is almost unique: 2nd place – 59 points, 3rd place – 59 points, 4th place – 59 points. Three teams are tied on points in the fight for direct promotion, and this is on the final matchday. Elversberg, Hannover, and then Darmstadt's opponent SC Paderborn: currently, goal difference will decide promotion, relegation play-offs, and the unenviable fourth place.
The season is drawing to a close, but there's still plenty going on around the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The ball is still rolling, and for the young Lilies, even a little longer. And with the Heinerfest in July and the club's anniversary in May, there's plenty to celebrate. You can also read Fabian Holland's words from his last media briefing and find out how you might help some of the Lilies' professionals receive an award. All this and a bit more can be found here in "Lilien Across the Board" at the usual time and place.
On Sunday afternoon (May 17th/3:30pm) SV Darmstadt 98 will host the team from SC Paderborn and asks you to take note of the following information.
Our premium partner ENTEGA is once again providing unique stadium experiences this season. For every home game, you can win two VIP fan seats in the main stand and also gain access to the ENTEGA VIP lounge. The application deadline for the match against Paderborn is Thursday (May 14th) at 12 noon.
Upward trend! On Saturday (May 9th/3pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted FSV Fernwald in the Lotto Hessenliga for the 30th matchday. Still embroiled in the fight to avoid relegation, the young Lilies secured three crucial points. They triumphed 4-1 over Fernwald – a victory that was particularly well-deserved in the final stages. This means the U21 team has won three of their last four league matches.
A draw in Münster. SV Darmstadt 98 and SC Preußen Münster played to a 1-1 draw in their final away match of the season. While Darmstadt remain in fifth place with 52 points, the draw confirms Preußen Münster's relegation to the 3. Liga. We've gathered all the post-match reactions for you.
A draw on matchday 33. Darmstadt 98 drew 1-1 with SC Preußen Münster in their final away game of the season. Isac Lidberg scored the goal.
The final away game of the season. On matchday 33, SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Preußen Münster (May 10th, 1:30pm). Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Matej Maglica, Patric Pfeiffer, and Yosuke Furukawa replace the suspended Aleksandar Vukotic and the injured Merveille Papela and Fabian Holland. Darmstadt will also be without Luca Marseiler, Fabian Nürnberger, Fraser Hornby, Matthias Bader, and Sergio Lopez.
The second away game in a row and the last of the season. In perfect football weather, Preußen Münster and Darmstadt 98 will face each other on Sunday afternoon (May 10th, 1:30pm) on matchday 33. Find out who will referee the match at the Preußenstadion, which channel it will be broadcast on, and what the weather forecast is, all conveniently compiled in our usual "Matchday Guide" section.
Ahead of Sunday's match against SC Preußen Münster (May 10th, 1:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt spoke about his contract extension, the upcoming opponent, and the tension within the team. We've summarised the most important statements from the Darmstadt head coach's press conference on Friday for you here.