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.
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: