2025 was Arminia's year! After being relegated from the top German league in the 2021/22 season, Bielefeld were relegated all the way down to the third division. But their last season there belonged to Arminia: as champions of the 3. Liga in 2024/25, they were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga, and they also caused a major upset in the DFB Cup.
Bielefeld knocked out five Bundesliga clubs on their incredible journey to the DFB Cup final, including the then-reigning champions, Bayer Leverkusen. Their 2-1 victory against Leverkusen was a sensation: a cup final for a third-division team! To support the players on the pitch in the final against VfB Stuttgart, something grand was erected off the field: 130 square metres of Bielefeld pride, the Hermann Monument near Detmold, wrapped in the largest jersey ever seen on German soil.
Unfortunately, from Arminia’s perspective, it wasn’t enough to defeat Stuttgart in the end. However, their first-ever cup final appearance and legendary run remain unforgettable. Back to the present. 2. Bundesliga, Matchday 28. We’ll be taking a closer look at Bielefeld’s aerial prowess.
| Top Scorer | Top Assists |
| Joel Grodowski – 9 Goals | Momuluh Monju – 7 Assists |
| Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee – 5 Goals | Tim Handwerker – 6 Assists |
| Tim Handwerker – 3 Goals | Mael Corboz – 4 Assists |
| Momuluh Monju – 3 Goals | Maximilian Großer – 3 Assists |
| Mael Corboz – 2 Goals | Joel Grodowski – 2 Assists |
Michel "Mitch" Kniat
Head coach of DSC Arminia BielefeldWhen Arminia Bielefeld plays with their heads, the move is not only clever but usually results in a goal. With ten headed goals already this season, Arminia boasts the second-best record in the league – only Paderborn (13) has scored more. Eighteen outfield players in the DSC squad are over 1.80m tall, and coach Mitch Kniat knows how to exploit that. Only two other clubs have attempted more headed shots than the East Westphalians (70). Arminia Bielefeld therefore needs seven attempts to head the ball into the net. So, the Lilies‘ defence needs to be wary! It’s fortunate that Marcel Schuhen has only had to pick the ball out of the net four times from headers – second only to Kaiserslautern (3), that’s the best record in the league.
33 years old and still an absolute leader. That’s Robin Knoche. At the end of January, the centre-back transferred from 1. FC Nürnberg to Arminia Bielefeld. The reason was simple: more playing time. And under his new coach, Mitch Kniat, he certainly got it. In his first six matches at Bielefeld’s Alm stadium, Knoche played the full 90 minutes in every single one.
The Braunschweig native has already experienced a great deal in his long career – a triumph in the DFB Cup and the Supercup stand out on his résumé. He won both trophies during his time at VfL Wolfsburg, where he spent a total of 15 years. Knoche first wore the VfL jersey at the age of twelve. His move from Wolfsburg took him to the „Alte Försterei“ stadium for four years. With Union Berlin, he embarked on a Champions League journey – traveling to Madrid, Naples, and Braga.
Now the veteran finds himself embroiled in a relegation battle in the second division. „That’s football,“ Knoche succinctly summarised in an interview with „Kicker.“ When he needs a break from the daily grind of league play, he finds „a little distraction“ in darts, as he also revealed in the same interview with „kicker.“ He’ll never forget his first 180. „I really went completely crazy,“ Knoche joked. He also cites a 161 checkout as a major achievement: „That was definitely the highlight.“ But football trumps the dartboard. Because there won’t be much time for darts for Robin Knoche and Arminia Bielefeld in their fight to stay in the league.
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: