Seventh place, just one point behind the relegation play-off spot. And yet, Stefan Leitl had to vacate his position as head coach last December. The belief that Hannover 96 could challenge for promotion in this configuration was no longer fully present, according to a press release from Hannover at the time. André Breitenreiter was appointed his successor. However, under the new head coach, they have only managed three wins from twelve second-half matches – meaning they currently sit ninth and are four points behind the relegation play-off spot. Added to this was a bitter 3-1 defeat against Elversberg and the serious fracture of both the tibia and fibula of Jessic Ngankam, Hannover's second-best goalscorer. In our opponent check, we provide you with everything you need to know about Hannover 96.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Nicolò Tresoldi – 6 Goals | Enzo Leopold – 4 Assists |
| Jessic Ngankam – 4 Goals | Nicolò Tresoldi – 3 Assists |
| Hyun-ju Lee – 3 Goals | Andreas Voglsammer – 2 Assists |
| Marcel Halstenberg – 3 Goals | Havard Nielsen – 2 Assists |
| Andreas Voglsammer – 2 Goals | Jannik Rochelt – 2 Assists |
What do Felix Magath, Bushido, a three-meter-long beer table, and currywurst with fries have in common? At first glance: Nothing. At second glance: André Breitenreiter, current head coach of Hannover 96.
From an early age, football was more than just a hobby for Breitenreiter – it was a family affair. His father graded his son’s performance after every game – and the reward was often currywurst with fries. It became clear early on: If you want to be successful, you have to work hard. And Breitenreiter did just that. As a player, he played for Hamburger SV, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hannover 96, among others. In Hamburg, he met a coach who had a lasting influence on him: Felix Magath. „He was a role model for me in terms of fitness, fairness, and commitment,“ Breitenreiter recalls.
Later, he would embody these virtues himself as a coach. With SC Paderborn, he achieved the much-acclaimed promotion to the Bundesliga, and later did the same with Hannover 96. With Schalke 04, he even reached the Europa League – and was fired despite his sporting success. The reasons were less on the pitch than interpersonal: „I took the personal propaganda against me very seriously,“ Breitenreiter once said in a Sport1 interview. On the way home, he processed his frustration with loud support from rapper Bushido – all alone in the car.
Breitenreiter celebrated his most emotional triumph to date in 2022 with FC Zurich: After 13 years without a title, he surprisingly led the club to the championship. The team bus shook with emotion, tears flowed, and assistant coach Alain Nef provided arguably the most spectacular celebratory moment of the evening: a three-meter dive over a beer-soaked beer table, complete with a forward roll. Also on hand as Breitenreiter’s assistant coach at the time was Darius Scholtysik, now assistant coach at the Lilies under Florian Kohfeldt.
André Breitenreiter is not only a meticulous worker, but also a guy with rough edges and stories to tell – someone who stands up for his path, stays true to himself, and shows the football world that professionalism and personality are not mutually exclusive. Hannover is now the next chapter of a career spanning the Bundesliga, Bushido, and beer tables.
It will likely be a difficult match for Darmstadt 98’s attackers: Hannover 96 boasts the best defence in the 2. Bundesliga this season. With just 30 goals conceded, no team has conceded fewer. Furthermore, the Lower Saxony side is very aggressive yet fair: Despite committing the third-most fouls, Andre Breitenreiter’s team has received only 64 cards. This figure is only surpassed by Elversberg (63) and Fürth (62).
Ron-Robert Zieler likes Christmas to be kitsch. Fairy lights, glitter balls, and plenty of family time – the 2014 World Cup winner lives the holidays wholeheartedly. But what sounds so cozy and quiet today wasn’t always so. The path to this? A football adventure with stops along the way, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Alex Ferguson, and a World Cup win in Brazil.
At just 16, Zieler moved from Köln to Manchester United – into the heart of the football world of superstars. There, he trained with greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy, lived with an English host family, and experienced the rough and tumble English routine of a world-class club.
Zieler’s professional breakthrough didn’t come in Manchester, however, but later in 2011 at Hannover 96 under Mirko Slomka. Within six months, the talented goalkeeper became the first-choice goalkeeper – and shortly thereafter, even a national team goalkeeper. Joachim Löw nominated him for the German national team. And in 2014, Zieler crowned himself a World Cup winner as a reserve goalkeeper in Brazil.
After the title, his path led him back to England: Leicester City was his destination in 2016, before returning to Hannover 96 via VfB Stuttgart. After a loan spell with 1. FC Köln, he returned permanently to Lower Saxony in 2021 – where his heart probably lies most in sporting terms.
Today, Ron-Robert Zieler is not only an experienced defender between the sticks, but also a player who has experienced just about everything: childhood dreams in Manchester, World Cup gold in Brazil, Christmas romance in the living room. He calls Hannover his home. „Ron is a face of this club. He has helped shape Hannover 96 over the past few years,“ says 96 sporting director Marcus Mann about his goalkeeper. „As captain, he takes on a lot of responsibility, is an important contact in the dressing room for all his teammates and for me too. And last but not least: He’s played a consistently high level throughout the season.“
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.