For many years it was almost unimaginable that there could ever be a second division game involving HSV. As a founding member of the Bundesliga, the traditional club from the Hanseatic city spent almost 55 years uninterrupted in the upper house of German football. But on May 12, 2018, the long-time “Dino” was hit and HSV had to make the bitter transition to the second division. The Rothosen are currently completing their seventh season in a row there and are making another attempt to finally return to the Bundesliga.
No other team is currently playing longer in the second division than HSV. The results of the past six seasons read like a long-lasting nightmare for Hamburg’s large fan base. The Rothosen had a long sniff of promotion to the Bundesliga in each of the years, finished fourth in the table four times and only failed in the play-off in the other two seasons. The last matchday of the 22/23 season was particularly dramatic, when the Hamburg team in Sandhausen almost felt like they were sure to be promoted, before two Heidenheim goals in injury time of the parallel game led to a bitter end and ultimately (after the following play-off defeat) another season in the second division ensued. HSV will welcome SV 98 next Sunday (08.12/1.30pm). It will be the eleventh meeting between the two teams in this league.
| Top-Scorer | Top Assists |
| Davie Selke – 7 Goals | Miro Muheim – 7 Assists |
| Robert Glatzel – 7 Goals | Adam Karabec – 5 Assists |
| Ransford Königsdörfer – 6 Goals | Jean-Luc Dompé – 3 Assists |
| Jean-Luc Dompé – 5 Goals | Fabio Baldé – 3 Assists |
Between 2011 and 2013, Merlin Polzin wore the HSV diamond on his chest and coached from the sidelines. At that time, however, he was still a youth coach. It wasn’t until seven years later that the Bramfeld native took the step into the professional coaching team. In between, the now 34-year-old coached VfL Osnabrück for six years. Initially also in the youth sector, then from 2017 as assistant coach to Daniel Thioune with the professionals.
Together with Thioune, Polzin returned to his childhood club in 2020: “He couldn’t believe it and was completely freaked out,” said the current Düsseldorf coach about his assistant at the time and his reaction to the news of HSV’s commitment.
After Thioune, Polzin also assisted Tim Walter, Horst Hrubesch and most recently Steffen Baumgart. Since the latter’s dismissal, Polzin has been in primary responsibility and also coached the team in the 3-1 away win at KSC. It was his second assignment as a trainer; Polzin took on the role of interim coach on February 17th (2-2 against Rostock) this year. In Karlsruhe, the football teacher changed the system and started the game in a 4-3-3. The success helped HSV jump to second place and made Polzin want more: „I’m keen to continue being successful with the boys.“
The Lilies might have something against it.
Hamburger SV’s offensive. No other second division team has scored more goals (31) this season. Even in the air, no one can fool the sports club. Headwise, the Rothosen are also the most dangerous team in the 2nd Bundesliga. They nodded the ball into the net nine times. What is striking is that the two center forwards, Davie Selke and Robert Glatzel, scored the most goals in the team with seven goals. He was closely followed by Ransford Königsdörfer (6), who was also used more often in the attack center. The Lilies defense can expect some hard work.
The assist provider and two-time goalscorer last weekend: Jean-Luc Dompé. The 29-year-old played a big part in Polzin having a successful game on the sidelines. The Frenchman received a lot of attention in particular for his second goal, in which he sank the ball into the corner for a 2-1 lead. “The goal is top notch. I haven’t seen that so often in the second division,” said KSC coach Christian Eichner after the game.
Things haven’t always gone smoothly for the winger so far this season. Under Steffen Baumgart, Dompé was not always a good player, despite his undisputed offensive qualities. A muscle injury set the tricky attacker back at the start of the season, and Baumgart always saw room for improvement, especially in terms of consistency and defensive work. Nevertheless, Dompé has already scored five goals this season and is one of the team’s top assist providers with his three assists. Hamburg’s number seven should definitely give SV 98 the utmost attention at all times.
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
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.