SV Darmstadt not only presents a focused defence but also a versatile attack. The current league table makes the Lilies appear significantly stronger than Eintracht Braunschweig. However, Braunschweig's form is clearly trending upwards, so one shouldn't be misled. We've compiled all the important facts and figures for Saturday's match (February 14th, 1pm) here for you.
Darmstadt versus Braunschweig: first place versus fourteenth. However, looking solely at the table of the last eight matches paints a different picture: second place versus fifth! Braunschweig has only collected two fewer points than Darmstadt from their last eight games. While Eintracht Braunschweig has amassed 14 points, only Darmstadt and 1. FC Magdeburg (both with 16) have earned more.
Heiner Backhaus’s team has significantly improved its points tally, but a weakness remains in attack. Braunschweig has scored 23 goals so far, with only Fortuna Düsseldorf scoring fewer. Their expected goals (xG) of 25.5 are lower only than those of Greuther Fürth – and on average, the Lower Saxony side needs twelve shots to find the back of the net.
SV 98, on the other hand, is proving far more clinical. Every seventh shot brings joy to all the fans who support the Lilies. The 98ers have already experienced this moment 40 times in this second-division season – no other team has scored more goals.
Closely linked to this is their strength at set pieces. Their impressive goal tally also stems from the versatility of the South Hessian attack. Thirteen goals from set pieces is the best in the league, and in the second half of the season, Kohfeldt’s players have scored at least one goal from a set piece in every match so far. They’ve also occasionally found the back of the net from free kicks: four goals from direct free kicks is another league best.
In contrast, the Blue-Yellows haven’t scored from a set piece since matchday 15. Furthermore, they have only scored four times in total from a set piece.
While the team currently in 14th place still has room for improvement in attack, their defence is significantly more solid at set pieces. Of the 35 goals they’ve conceded, Braunschweig have only let in five from dead-ball situations. Only two other second-division teams defend set pieces more effectively: Schalke 04 have conceded just four goals from set pieces – the same number as Darmstadt.
Darmstadt have frequently managed to steal points from matches against Braunschweig or keep them at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The team from southern Hesse has amassed an impressive 19 points from their last ten encounters against the Lower Saxons.
However, looking solely at the last three meetings reveals a more balanced picture. Braunschweig’s only victory in the last ten matches is relatively recent. Almost exactly a year ago, when Darmstadt visited Eintracht Stadium, the hosts celebrated a win. The previous match ended in a draw, while Darmstadt narrowly won the first leg 2-1.
Nevertheless, Darmstadt traditionally struggles away from home in Braunschweig. In 13 matches, they have managed only two wins and suffered seven defeats, with a goal difference of 8-22.
It’s matchday five of the season. Eintracht Braunschweig are visiting the Böllenfalltor stadium. The score is 1-1. The clock shows the 84th minute – and Florian Kohfeldt makes a substitution: centre-back Matej Maglica comes on for Fraser Hornby.
Just two minutes later, Darmstadt are awarded a free kick – on the edge of the Eintracht penalty area. Maglica places the ball, waits for the referee’s whistle, takes a run-up, and unleashes a shot that reaches 132 km/h (80 mph) and finds the back of the net. No other goal in this second-division season has been scored at a higher speed. With that strike, he secured three points for Darmstadt.
Heiner Backhaus’s team has conceded 35 goals so far, while Marcel Schuhen has only had to pick the ball out of his net 22 times. Only two teams have conceded fewer goals than Darmstadt.
Eintracht Braunschweig’s opponents, meanwhile, have an expected goals (xG) of only 31.38, meaning they have conceded more goals than statistically expected. The opposite is true for SV Darmstadt 98: their opponents have an expected goals (xG) of 29.41, but their actual number of goals conceded is significantly lower.
Marco Richter and Fraser Hornby each have four yellow cards. Another booking would therefore result in a suspension.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 26:16 |
|
Away |
13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 8:22 |
|
Overall |
27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 34:38 |
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.