For many young football fans, 1. FC Nürnberg is now primarily known as a traditional club in the 2nd Bundesliga. But in the 1961/62 season the club played on the European stage for the first time - and quite successfully. With four wins, Nuremberg reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup, where FCN met defending champions Benfica. In the first leg, the Franconians celebrated an impressive 3-1 win in front of a sold-out crowd. But in the second leg, the dream of the semi-finals was dashed - the club was eliminated with a clear 6-0 defeat. Despite the bitter end, the then striker Heinz Strehl made an exclamation mark: with eight goals, he became the competition's top scorer, even if that could hardly be any consolation for missing out on a place in the semi-finals.
Today, 1. FC Nürnberg is level on points with SV Darmstadt 98 and Berlin’s Hertha in the tight 2nd Bundesliga table and is in eleventh place. After a good start to the second half of the season with a 2-1 win against Karlsruher SC, Miroslav Klose’s team lost 3-1 against their friends from Gelsenkirchen last weekend. Now the Lilies are coming to the Max-Morlock Stadium on Friday evening (January 31st/6:30pm) for what will hopefully be an exciting floodlit game. In our opponent check we look at SV 98’s upcoming opponents.
| Top Scorers |
Top Assists |
| Stefanos Tzimas – 10 Goals | Julian Justvan – 7 Assists |
| Julian Justvan – 3 Goals | Caspar Jander – 4 Assists |
| Jens Castrop – 3 Goals | Stefanos Tzimas – 2 Assists |
| Mahir Emreli – 3 Goals | Jens Castrop – 2 Assists |
| Lukas Schleimer – 3 Goals | Danilo Soares – 2 Assists |
Record goalscorer for the German national team. Germany’s Footballer of the Year 2006. World Champion 2014. Plus many other titles and trophies. Today he is head coach in the 2nd Bundesliga at 1. FC Nürnberg. After his outstanding playing career, Miroslav Klose also found his way as a coach.
The 46-year-old gained his first experience as a trainer in the youth ranks of the German national team before moving to FC Bayern Munich in 2018, initially to look after the B-juniors there and later to work as an assistant coach for the professionals. After a short stay as head coach at SCR Altach in Austria, he took over the club for the 2024/25 season.
Under his leadership, Nürnberg is currently in eleventh place in the 2nd Bundesliga. Even though Klose would have liked more points in some games, he is satisfied with his team’s development. In the balanced league, “everyone is able to beat everyone,” he explained optimistically in an interview with RTL.
Is it due to head coach Miroslav Klose, who has proven his goalscoring abilities as a striker for years? Or is it simply the individual class of the players? Probably a mix of both. 1. FC Nürnberg is not one of the teams with the most goals or shots on goal – with 34 goals this season they are the seventh strongest offensive in the competition. But when the club gets into the penalty area, it becomes extremely dangerous. With an opportunity conversion rate of 10.5 percent, FCN ranks fourth in the 2nd Bundesliga in this statistic – proof of their efficiency in front of the opponent’s goal.
Greek strikers are making more and more impressions in the 2nd Bundesliga. While Christos Tzolis almost secured promotion for Fortuna Düsseldorf last season with 22 goals, Stefanos Tzimas is now causing a sensation at 1. FC Nürnberg.
The only 19-year-old attacker, who moved to Franconia on loan from PAOK Saloniki last summer, has quickly turned out to be an absolute shooting star. With ten goals in 16 games, he is one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. A reason? He feels right at home in Nürnberg. He finds life there to be much quieter than in his homeland Thessaloniki. He received support in getting used to the game from coach Miroslav Klose and sports director Olaf Rebbe – two key figures in his move.
However, the contact came as a surprise, as Tzimas told kicker. “I was on vacation with friends when Miroslav Klose called me. “I was impressed that Miroslav Klose wanted me,” recalls the goalscorer and is convinced of his move to Nuremberg: “It was the best decision I could have made.”
SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC on Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) at the Wildpark Stadium for the 32nd matchday. To ensure you are well prepared for your trip to KSC, here is a summary of all the important information for your visit to the stadium.
To ensure a smooth and convenient journey to Karlsruhe this weekend, SV 98 is offering a special train service that will transport Lilies fans directly from Darmstadt to Karlsruhe and back. Additionally, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team will host SV Hummetroth at their home academy this Wednesday evening (April 29th). For more news and updates, check out our usual "Lilien Across the Board" – all the latest news about the club, gathered here for you.
At the end of the current season, the partnership between SV Darmstadt 98 and Software AG, which has grown over many years, will end due to a strategic realignment of the software company.
The DFB sports court has suspended Patric Pfeiffer for one match following his sending-off against SV Elversberg.
Four goals, three points, and a well-deserved victory in the Hessenliga! At home against VfB 1905 Marburg last Saturday (April 25th), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team finally celebrated a win after a long wait. Thanks to their confidence, assertiveness in one-on-one situations, and numerous scoring opportunities, the U21s convincingly beat the Marburg team 4-0.
As Florian Kohfeldt approached the team's dressing room at halftime, the Darmstadt head coach heard exactly one sentence: "It's not finished." Fraser Hornby had uttered it, setting the tone for his teammates and himself. What followed was a remarkable second half from Darmstadt 98 and a point against SV Elversberg, a point that, while likely insufficient for their promotion hopes in southern Hesse, nonetheless filled the Darmstadt fans with pride.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
They fought to the very end, playing with ten men, and tried everything. But in the end, Darmstadt had to settle for a 3-3 draw against SV Elversberg in the sold-out Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. How do the Darmstadt players and staff assess the passionate 90 minutes at the Bölle? What did both head coaches have to say about the match? We've compiled all the reactions for you.
No winner in the clash of the pursuers: Darmstadt 98's home game against SV Elversberg ended in a 3-3 (2-3) draw. After three consecutive defeats, SV 98 managed to secure at least a point and now has 51 points this season. Pfeiffer (14th minute) and Hornby (15th and 51st minutes) scored for the team from southern Hesse.
It's home game day at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. On Saturday evening, the 31st matchday of the 2. Bundesliga, SV Darmstadt 98 hosts SV Elversberg. Head coach Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting eleven compared to last week. Raoul Petretta replaces Fabian Nürnberger (thigh injury). Yosuke Furukawa also starts in place of Killian Corredor against the team from Saarland.
A new match under the floodlights awaits! On Saturday evening (April 25th, 8:30pm), Darmstadt 98 play against SV Elversberg. What are the coaches' opinions before the game? Who will referee, broadcast, and commentate the match? And what kind of weather can Darmstadt fans expect at the stadium? All the information is compiled for you in "Matchday Guide."
What are Florian Kohfeldt's thoughts on Saturday evening's match (April 25th/8:30pm) against SV Elversberg? Where does he see the strengths of their upcoming opponent? And how does his team plan to get back on track after three consecutive defeats? The Darmstadt head coach answered these and other questions at the press conference on Friday (April 24th) in the catacombs of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. We've summarised Kohfeldt's key statements from the press conference for you.