6th, 3rd, 4th – these are Fortuna's league standings over the past three second-division seasons. Accordingly, Düsseldorf are considered strong contenders for the promotion spots this season as well. This is also supported by the seven points that the Lilies‘ upcoming opponent has collected in the last three matchdays, thus finding their form after a slight initial struggle (two games, zero points). Ahead of the direct clash (September 21st, 1:30pm), we took a closer look at Fortuna.
Looking at the all-time table of the 2. Bundesliga, you’ll see a special number behind the name of Fortuna Düsseldorf. The Flingeran team has exactly 1,000 points in this division, placing them 17th (Darmstadt is in 6th place). And despite the 641 games F95 has already played in this league, Fortuna Düsseldorf isn’t a perpetual second-division team. The Düsseldorf team has 854 Bundesliga games on their resume, and the all-time table shows 1,024 points.
From 1971 to 1987, Fortuna played continuously in the top flight of German football, before repeatedly switching between the 1. and 2. Bundesliga in the following years. The ten years between 1999 and 2009, during which the Rhinelanders played in both the Regionalliga and the fourth-tier Oberliga, were challenging times in sporting terms. Since returning to the second division for the 2009/10 season, Fortuna has regularly been among the top teams in the 2. Bundesliga and has celebrated two promotions to the Bundesliga. Another is expected this season, if possible; we’ve taken a closer look at Fortuna in our opponents check.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Cedric Itten | Shinta Appelkamp |
| Florent Muslija | Valgeir Lunddal |
| Christian Rasmussen | |
Daniel Thioune
Head coach at Fortuna DüsseldorfFortuna has distinguished itself this season particularly through its precise crossing. Time and again, the wingers manage to get behind the defence with great speed and deliver dangerous balls into the penalty area. Düsseldorf is one of those teams with a high number of incoming crosses. This is a constant threat to any defence. Strikers like Itten, in particular, benefit from the high quality of these passes. For SV 98, this means consistent defending on the flanks and good positioning in the box are essential to neutralise Fortuna’s strength.
When the stands in Darmstadt shake, when blue and white flags fly, and the „Lilien“ transform their Böllenfalltor into a fortress, the atmosphere is special. And amidst all the chants, you can sometimes hear a second echo – that of their friends from Bern. The fan friendship between SV Darmstadt 98 and Young Boys Bern has long been an integral part of the culture of the stands. And that’s exactly where a player who found his way to Germany in the summer of 2025 comes from: Cedric Itten.
So, for some SVD fans, he may be a familiar name. Itten played for YB for three years, scoring 33 goals and being a decisive factor in championship matches and cup nights. He stood for power, aerial prowess, and the absolute will to decide games – qualities that now also distinguish him in Düsseldorf.
Cedric Itten was born on December 27, 1996, in Basel. It was there that his sporting career began, at FC Basel, one of Switzerland’s leading talent factories. His goal-scoring instinct, physicality, and talent were evident early on.
The striker won the league title with FC Basel in his first season, making eleven appearances. As a champion and eager for regular match practice, Itten was loaned to FC Luzern the following season. Itten certainly impressed and was back in the FC Basel squad in September 2017. However, it wasn’t enough for him to finally break through to his hometown club, so the current Swiss international was loaned out again. His new club: FC St. Gallen.
In the match against FC Lugano on September 23, 2018, Itten suffered a serious injury. He tore the cruciate ligaments and medial ligaments in his right knee and was out for almost the entire season. After recovering from his injury, Itten developed into a top performer and goalscorer, scoring 36 goals in 63 competitive matches.
His performances paved the way for him to Scotland, specifically to Glasgow Rangers. With Rangers, he became Swiss champions and cup winners, and played in the Europa League. Despite the two trophies and almost 30 competitive appearances for the Scots, Itten opened a new chapter the following summer, joining Bundesliga newcomers Greuther Fürth on loan. The loan ended after just six months, and Itten returned to Rangers, which he left for good in the summer of 2022 and joined Young Boys, where he spent perhaps the most successful years of his career.
The next step followed before this season: Fortuna Düsseldorf signed the 1.85-meter-tall centre forward. Fortuna was looking for an attacker who could not only control the ball as a wall player, but also pose a goal-scoring threat with his presence in the penalty area. Itten brings exactly that package.
For the 2. Bundesliga, he is a striker who will pose a challenge to any defence. A strong runner, clever in his positioning, and equipped with a nose for goal that can often make the difference. The 28-year-old has already scored three goals this season, and the Lilies should definitely keep him in mind.
The pairings for the first round of the DFB Cup have been drawn: SV Darmstadt 98 will face FC Carl Zeiss Jena away from home. The draw took place on Saturday evening (June 6th) at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. Under the supervision of DFB Vice President Peter Frymuth, Referee of the Year 2026, Deniz Aytekin, who acted as the draw's host live on ARD, drew the match between Darmstadt and Jena.
From the warm opening ceremony to the awards ceremony: The German Football ID Championship in Darmstadt offered exciting games, many wonderful encounters and a well-deserved German champion in the Hesse selection, which also included players from the SV 98 ID team.
The first dates for SV 98's preparations for the 2026/27 second division season have been set: On June 25th, the professional team will return to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor to undergo various medical tests and performance diagnostics. The first team training session will take place on June 27th in the Odenwald region.
Who will SV Darmstadt 98 face in the first round of the DFB Cup? This question will be answered this coming Saturday (June 6th). The draw for the first round will be broadcast live on ARD's Sportschau. We'll be taking a look and providing you with all the information. We'll also be celebrating with the fan team's survival in the Kreisklasse B (eighth tier) and taking a look across the border to Texas in the USA. All this and more for you in "Lilies Across the Board" on Wednesday.
Fraser Hornby's time at Darmstadt 98 comes to an end after three years. The Scottish attacking midfielder is moving to VfL Wolfsburg. Both clubs have agreed to keep the transfer fee confidential.
An eight-goal thriller to close out the season. The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team took to the pitch one last time this season on Saturday (May 30th) – away against FC Eddersheim. The young Lilies secured a 5-3 victory in Eddersheim, finishing the 2025/26 Hessenliga season in eleventh place. Even more remarkable, however, was the U21's run at the end of the season: the Blue and Whites won their last five matches, scoring an impressive 22 goals in the process.
Barcelona, Spain. A global city right on the Mediterranean. Over 1.7 million people live here. And one of them is Clemens Riedel. The 22-year-old former Darmstadt player moved from SV 98 to Espanyol Barcelona last summer – from youth academy to professional in the Spanish first division. We spoke with Riedel about his first year in Barcelona, the past season, and his still close ties to Darmstadt.
SV 98 can continue to rely on the services of Fabian Nürnberger. The Lilies have extended the expiring contract with the Bulgarian international.
Grayson Dettoni will continue to wear the SV 98 jersey. The Lilies have exercised their option to buy the defender, who was previously on loan from FC Bayern Munich.
The German Football Championship for People with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) kicks off on Sunday – and it's taking place in Darmstadt's Bürgerpark! Last week, the Darmstadt 98ers' home ground offered a different kind of sporting event: a karate demonstration. We also take a look at the opponents for the new season and celebrate two birthdays this week. You'll find all this and much more about Darmstadt 98 in our usual "Lilies Across the Board".
„I’m proud of you,“ were the words of U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt to the team after they secured their place in the Hessenliga. On Saturday (May 23rd), SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team had the chance to stay in the league against Turabdin Babylon Pohlheim – and they seized it impressively! The young Lilies delivered a convincing 5-1 goal fest, but at the same time still needed help from other teams to guarantee their survival. However, because their direct rivals, CSC 03 Kassel, narrowly lost in Stadtallendorf, the U21 team was finally able to celebrate.
For the fourth time, the Haftpflichtkasse insurance company and SV Darmstadt 98 have jointly awarded four clubs with the Volunteer Award. The award ceremony, including the presentation of the checks, took place last Sunday (May 17th) before the home game against SC Paderborn at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The Volunteer Award, established in 2023 by the Haftpflichtkasse and SV Darmstadt 98, aims to strengthen volunteer engagement and promote outstanding projects.