"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.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.
Lilies at the Wildpark! SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC this coming Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) for the 32nd matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. Will Darmstadt's positive record from recent encounters continue? Will Florian Kohfeldt and Isac Lidberg extend their scoring streak against KSC? And will Fabian Schleusener finally stop scoring against SV 98? We've compiled all the facts and figures for you.
SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC on Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) at the Wildpark Stadium for the 32nd matchday. To ensure you are well prepared for your trip to KSC, here is a summary of all the important information for your visit to the stadium.
To ensure a smooth and convenient journey to Karlsruhe this weekend, SV 98 is offering a special train service that will transport Lilies fans directly from Darmstadt to Karlsruhe and back. Additionally, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team will host SV Hummetroth at their home academy this Wednesday evening (April 29th). For more news and updates, check out our usual "Lilien Across the Board" – all the latest news about the club, gathered here for you.
