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 |
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: