The best offensive in the league travels to the Böllenfalltor. So far this season, 1. FC Köln has stood for one thing in particular: lots of goals. So far, 33 goals have been scored in games with “Effzeh” participation, a record. There are 31 goals in games in which the Lilies take part. So it's quite possible that spectators can expect some hits on Friday evening (06.10/6:30pm). Before the clash, we took a closer look at Köln.
Last season both teams met in the Bundesliga, now they meet in the German second division. So far, the Lilies have won two games against 1. FC Köln, one of them in the last meeting on matchday 30 of the previous season with a 2-0 away win. Now the cards have been reshuffled and two “new” teams are competing. So that you know about the upcoming opponent, here are a few key factors for you in the opponent check.
| Top Scorers | Assists |
| Damion Downs (8 Games/ 4 Goals) | Leart Paqarada (8 Games/ 6 Assists) |
| Timo Hübers (7 Games / 3 Goals) | Tim Lemperle (8 Games/ 4 Assists) |
| Tim Lemperle (8 Games/ 3 Goals) | Linton Maina (8 Games / 4 Assists) |
From the insurance industry to a professional coach, via Austria, England, New York to 1. FC Köln – a career path that might surprise many fans. Gerhard Struber wouldn’t be seen on the visitors‘ sidelines at the Bölle this Friday if it hadn’t been for Austria’s national coach Ralf Rangnick. A test match between SV Kuchl and Salzburg was the decisive moment for his move from insurance to professional coaching. „After the game, Ralf Rangnick invited me to talk. With his enthusiasm and persuasiveness, he suggested that I take the path of becoming a full-time football coach. That was a very brave decision at the time, because I had a really good job with the best prospects,“ reports the now 47 year old.
As he once did in Barnsley, Struber now looks after one of the youngest squads in the league in Köln. The Austrian has been very familiar with dealing with and supporting young players for years. For a long time he shaped the youth academies in Salzburg and coached young talents at the highest level. Struber is best known for his offensive style of play – a style that he successfully demonstrated at the beginning of the season. No team has currently scored more goals in the second division than the “Billy Goats”. In the last home game against Ulm, Struber also showed that he can give the full offensive a certain balance. From a stable order, the “Effzeh” won 2-0 against the promoted team and remained without conceding a goal for the second time this season.
The highlight of 1. FC this season is the outstanding offensive. With 20 goals scored, the Domstadt team has the most goal-hungry attack in the league. Eight different players have already been able to get on the list of goalscorers, the most successful shooter so far is Damion Downs with four goals. A total of five players are among the top 17 of the top scorers and three more are among the ten best scorers in the league. After the KSC, the next demanding challenge awaits the Darmstadt defense line.
…Eric Martel. Hardly any other player covers as many meters on the pitch in the second division as the 22-year-old. He runs an impressive 12.25 kilometers on average in the 90 minutes of a game. He has long since become an indispensable support in the midfield of 1. FC Köln.
The captain of the German U21 has been a permanent part of the squad since 2022. At that time he moved from the East, from Leipzig, to the Rhineland. Martel made his debut in the DFB Cup at the age of 18 under current national coach Julian Nagelsmann. After a loan to Austria Vienna, he finally found his way to 1. FC Köln, where he signed long-term. Even after relegation to the second division, Martel remains committed to the club: „The FC and especially the fans here are something very special. I identify 100 percent with the city and the club. I will give everything for that and I’m happy I am delighted to be able to continue playing for this great club in the future.“
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:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
