DFB Cup, Round Two: On Tuesday evening (October 27th), SV Darmstadt 98 will face SV Elversberg. The hosts have come a long way in just a few years. Where regional league football was once played at the Kaiserlinde stadium, Bundesliga football is now the norm. Elversberg achieved their rise through the leagues in record time. Now, the DFB Cup awaits, providing the next stage where they are eager to prove themselves.
The rise of SV Elversberg is a story that has unfolded across several leagues in just a few years. In 2022, the Saarland club made the leap from the Regionalliga (fourth tier) to the 3. Liga (third tier), and just one season later, they achieved promotion to the 2. Bundesliga (second tier). There, SVE didn’t linger in mid-table for long, but was already in contention for promotion to the top flight last season. The race remained open until the final matchday. On May 17, 2026, it was finally confirmed: Elversberg was promoted to the Bundesliga, reaching the provisional pinnacle of an extraordinary journey.
With this promotion, the Saarland town also becomes the smallest club in Bundesliga history. But SVE doesn’t intend to limit itself to the league. The DFB Cup also offers Elversberg the chance to continue its success.
The Bundesliga season has gone well so far for SV Elversberg. After seven matches, they are in eighth place in the Bundesliga table with 10 points.
| Opposition | Result | Points |
| RB Leipzig (A) | 4:0 | 0 |
| FC Augsburg (H) | 4:3 | 3 |
| 1. FC Union Berlin (A) | 1:0 | 0 |
| FC Schalke 04 | 0:0 | 1 |
| FC Bayern München | 1:2 | 0 |
| Top Scorer | Top Assists |
| Maurice Krattenmacher – 3 Goals | Lukas Petkov – 2 Assists |
| Lukas Petkov – 2 Goals | Maurice Krattenmacher – 1 Assist |
| David Mokawa – 2 Goals | Felix Kreidel – 1 Assist |
| Felix Keidel – 1 Goal | Lukas Pinckert – 1 Assist |
| Maximilian Rohr – 1 Goal | Noel Futkeu – 1 Assist |
Vincent Wagner
Head coach of SV 07 ElversbergSV Elversberg continues to play a bold, attacking style of football in the Bundesliga. Instead of focusing on defence, Vincent Wagner’s team aims to dictate the game. Possession, high pressing, and quick attacks down the flanks characterise the Saarlanders‘ style. The success of this approach was evident last season: with 64 goals, Elversberg boasted the best attack in the 2. Bundesliga. Even at the higher level, SVE remains true to its philosophy and continues to actively seek a way forward.
At just 19 years old, he’s already a U21 international, a Bundesliga professional, and one of SV Elversberg’s most promising players: Francis Onyeka possesses many qualities that perfectly suit the Saarland club’s attacking style of play. The midfielder is always looking to get forward, is a goal threat, and has quickly settled into his new team. His career so far demonstrates how rapidly he has risen through the ranks.
Onyeka began his footballing career in the youth academy of Borussia Lindenthal-Hohenlind before moving early on to the youth performance centre of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. There, he progressed through the youth teams and impressed enough to earn a place at a higher level. Last season, he gained his first extensive experience in professional football with VfL Bochum. On loan, he made 30 appearances and proved himself at the highest level.
One chapter of his story is closely linked to their upcoming cup opponent. Onyeka made his professional debut on October 29, 2024, against none other than SV Elversberg. In Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s 3-0 victory in the second round of the DFB Cup, the then 17-year-old was substituted on in the 87th minute. Almost two years later, he faced the Saarland club again in the same competition, this time wearing the jersey of SV Elversberg. In the same year as his debut, Onyeka was awarded the Fritz Walter Medal as the best German U17 player.
Last summer, Bayer 04 extended the midfielder’s contract until 2032 and loaned him to Elversberg. There, Onyeka didn’t need long to make a name for himself. In the first round of the cup against MSV Duisburg, he scored twice in the closing stages, playing a crucial role in the 3-1 victory. Just one week later, he was on the pitch for Elversberg’s Bundesliga debut against his parent club, Leverkusen. His assist for the opening goal set up the first Bundesliga goal in the club’s history.
Onyeka also made his debut for the German U21 national team in September. However, his debut ended prematurely due to injury. This hasn’t dampened his ambitions. The 19-year-old has set himself a clear goal for the current season: he wants to score at least ten goals for Elversberg. His performances so far show that he has quickly become an important factor in SVE’s attack.
With tremendous dedication, Darmstadt secured their place in the next round! The Lilies rewarded themselves for a tremendous fight and incredible defensive work by advancing to the round of 16. The final score was 2-0 (1-0) against SV Elversberg after 90 intense minutes in which the South Hessians suffered but fought tooth and nail against Elversberg's relentless onslaught. Kehl and Smit sealed the victory for Darmstadt's efficient performance.
In the second round of the DFB Cup, Darmstadt 98 will travel to face SV Elversberg. Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Christopher Lannert, Florian Kleinhansl, Nicolas Verkooijen, Lance Duijvestijn, and Hojae Lee will start in place of William Mikelbrencis, Noah Weißhaupt, Hiroki Akiyama, Marco Richter, and Fynn Lakenmacher. Richter is unavailable due to a minor thigh injury.
On Tuesday evening, SV 98 will travel to SV Elversberg for the second round of the DFB Cup. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will referee the match, and where can you watch the cup tie live? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the game against the Saarlanders in our "Matchday Guidet" format.
The second round of the DFB Cup is upon us! On Tuesday (October 27th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit SV Elversberg. Find out what the two teams have in common, how they differ, and which statistics are particularly interesting before the cup match in our facts and figures.
Darmstadt 98 will play their second DFB Cup match against SV Elversberg tomorrow, Tuesday, October 27th. Fans wishing to support the team in person can find all the important information about traveling and attending the match in the fan information.
After the league games, SV 98 faces its next challenge in the DFB Cup. In the second round, the Lilies will travel to SV Elversberg tomorrow, Tuesday (October 27th, 8:45pm). Our head coach spoke about the opponent, the team's approach, and the importance of the cup competition.
SV Darmstadt 98's professional team is making its presence felt in the Odenwald region: On Sunday (November 1st), the players of SV Darmstadt 98 will attend a total of 13 amateur matches in the Odenwald and surrounding areas. With this initiative, the Lilies aim to strengthen amateur football in the region and recognise the volunteer work that is carried out daily in the clubs. Two players will attend each match and remain at the stadium for the entire duration of the game.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team celebrated a commanding 3-0 home victory against VfB Marburg last Saturday (October 24th). From the outset, the young Lilies dominated the game and gave the visitors little room to maneuver.
Darmstadt responded to Karlsruhe's defeat, drawing 0-0 with Bundesliga relegated side FC St. Pauli. Darmstadt put in a particularly strong defensive performance. Our analysis looks back at Matchday 9.
The Lilies remain unbeaten for the third consecutive home game, sharing the points with Bundesliga-relegated FC St. Pauli on Friday evening. Here is what was said after the match:
No winner in the clash against the side relegated from the Bundesliga, Hamburg’s FC St. Pauli: after 90 hard-fought, intense minutes, the match ends 0–0 (0–0). The Lilies thus pick up their eighth point of the season.
On the 9th matchday, SV 98 hosts FC St. Pauli. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven following the defeat against KSC. Yannik Lührs, Noah Weißhaupt, and Fynn Lakenmacher come into the starting lineup, replacing Aleksandar Vukotic, Lance Duijvestijn, and Hojae Lee. Luca Marseiler, Fabian Nürnberger, Merveille Papela, Carlo Sickinger, and Yosuke Furukawa are all sidelined due to injury.