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.
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:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.