"We were dead for 90 minutes," Pierre-Michel Lasogga, then a striker for Hamburger SV, summed it up honestly about one of the most emotional relegation matches in Bundesliga history. In 2015, HSV, the "football dinosaur," was on the verge of relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. What made that so special? HSV was the last club never to have been relegated since the Bundesliga's founding. In the first leg against Karlsruher SC, the Hamburg team had kept the race for survival open with a 1-1 draw. But in the return leg, a knockout loomed: Reinhold Yabo gave KSC the lead in the 78th minute – HSV seemed beaten, the first relegation in the club's history all but sealed. But then came stoppage time – and with it the brilliant performance of Marcelo Díaz, who beautifully converted a free kick to make it 1-1. In extra time, Nicolai Müller put the finishing touches to the game: with his goal to make it 2-1 in the 115th minute, he secured HSV's place in the Bundesliga.
A look at the present shows that those days are history. HSV has been playing in the 2. Bundesliga for seven years now. But currently, the Hanseatic club is closer than it has been in a long time to finally finding its way back to the top flight. With three games left in the season, the Rothosen are in second place in the table – 53 points, three points clear of the relegation play-off spot and four points clear of the unpopular fourth place. Before a major comeback can succeed, however, another challenge awaits: SV Darmstadt 98 at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. We take a close look at the Lilies‘ upcoming opponent for you!
| Top Scorer | Top Assists |
| Davie Selke – 20 Goals | Jean-Luc Dompé – 12 Assists |
| Ransford Königsdörffer – 11 Goals | Miro Muheim – 10 Assists |
| Jean-Luc Dompé – 8 Goals | Adam Karabec – 7 Assists |
| Robert Glatzel – 8 Goals | Daniel Elfadli – 4 Assists |
| Adam Karabec – 3 Goals | Fabio Baldé – 4 Assists |
Merlin Polzin could actually still be standing in the fan section today – the 34-year-old, who is now the youngest head coach in the 2. Bundesliga, is so down-to-earth and approachable on the sidelines of Hamburger SV. Boastful appearances? None. Polzin comes from the Hamburg district of Bramfeld; he hasn’t forgotten his roots – and getting carried away wouldn’t suit him anyway.
He once wanted to be a teacher and studied to become a teacher. But life told a different story: Due to osteoarthritis, Polzin had to end his amateur playing career early. But his love of football remained – and ultimately led him, via a detour, to where he is today: as head coach of his favorite club. In December 2024, Polzin took over the reins of the Hanseatic League – and shapes the team with his style of play. Playing boldly, offensively, and without fear – that’s his philosophy, which has a lot to do with his own attitude to life. “Life is too short and too beautiful not to approach it this way,” says Polzin – and demands exactly this attitude on the pitch as well.
His success proves him right: Under Polzin, HSV is currently second in the 2. Bundesliga and – as far as promotion is concerned – has everything in its own hands. But Polzin is never just concerned with quick success or the glamour of a position: personal development, team chemistry, and genuine conviction are paramount for him. The right connection with the coaching staff, the team, and the fans – that’s what he relies on.
The idea that a young, local player could lead HSV back to the top flight after seven years in the second division is almost beyond compare in football romanticism. And Polzin firmly believes in it: „The big goal is paramount. We’re moving in the same direction together – there’s no left or right,“ he says.
In keeping with coach Merlin Polzin’s bold style of play, Hamburger SV’s greatest strength is clearly its attack. The Red Shorts have scored 66 goals so far – more than any other second-division team. A standout among them is top striker Davie Selke, who leads the 2. Bundesliga’s goalscoring charts with 20 goals this season – three goals ahead of his closest rival, Ragnar Ache of 1. FC Kaiserslautern. But the Hanseatics aren’t just strong in front of goal: HSV also sets standards in terms of ball security: With a pass completion rate of 86.9 percent, they have the best mark in the entire 2. Bundesliga – closely followed by Fortuna Düsseldorf (86 percent).
„Everybody’s darling“? That probably doesn’t apply to him. Davie Selke has often faced headwinds in his career – and has had to endure a lot of criticism and hate, especially on social media. The 30-year-old is open about it: He used to show his penchant for expensive cars and fine watches on social media and stands by what drove him as a young adult. „I always thought that money or material things were fulfillment. But once you’ve worked hard for a bit and can afford things, you quickly realize that that’s not fulfilling,“ he once explained in an interview with „Fußball mit Vision“.
Today, his focus is different. Faith plays a central role in Selke’s life. „I still own these things, but they no longer own me. I used to define myself through material values; today, I define myself through Jesus,“ he says. His life story is marked by rise and change: Growing up in financially difficult circumstances, football opened the door to a better life for him.
During his youth career at TSG Hoffenheim, Selke realized that he could achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer, and since then, he has subordinated everything to football. He finally made his breakthrough to the professional ranks at Werder Bremen and shortly thereafter moved to Leipzig, where Selke scored 14 goals in 53 games. After playing for Hertha BSC, a brief return to Bremen, and a stint at 1. FC Köln, Selke eventually landed at Hamburger SV. He seems to be feeling perfectly at home there: With 20 goals this season, Davie Selke is the Red Shorts‘ top scorer – and has played a significant role in enabling the club to dream of promotion. On the pitch, he delivers – off it, the striker has reinvented himself over the years and appears very composed and balanced.
Darmstadt 98 lost to Hannover 96 while playing with ten men and must continue to wait for their first win of this second division season. Read our analysis to find out what positives remain and why Darmstadt 98 had factored in setbacks on their chosen path.
Around the time of the home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), the Jonathan Heimes Square was officially inaugurated. Before kickoff, club president Markus Pfitzner and Martin Heimes, father of Jonathan Heimes, who died of cancer about ten years ago, gave speeches highlighting "Johnny's" importance and his commitment to people with cancer.
The Lilien Team Marathon is not just about athletic performance and the shared experience around the Böllenfalltor stadium – but also about making a difference together.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team drew 2-2 (0-1) against SV Unter-Flockenbach. After a heated home game, the young Lilies had to settle for a frustrating, but ultimately deserved, draw. In this extremely balanced league, Patrick Kurt's team continues to grow week by week, gaining valuable experience.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
