On May 23, 1954, the stadium erupted during the final match between Hannover and Kaiserslautern. A shimmering summer light bathed the stadium, 80,000 spectators packed the stands, the air thick with anticipation. When the final whistle blew, a roar of jubilation erupted, echoing far beyond the city limits: Hannover 96 had just defeated the overwhelming favourites, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, 5-1, and crowned themselves German football champions. A sensation the likes of which German football hadn't seen in a long time. The next morning, almost every newspaper in the country ran the headline in large letters: "The Football Sensation: Hannover 96 is Champion!"
The victory was celebrated as the biggest upset since 1938, when Hannover 96 had already defeated the mighty Schalke 04 in two finals. „This title win certainly changed my life and the lives of my teammates. Hannover 96 was no longer a nobody. We pulled off a sensation out of the blue,“ Hannes Tkotz, one of the championship-winning players, later recalled.
But the triumph had consequences that extended far beyond the pitch. Hannover 96 was suddenly a big name – and the city wanted to live up to this newfound importance. That same year, the Niedersachsenstadion was inaugurated – designed in the shape of a giant shell, inspired by the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. It had a capacity of 73,000 spectators. 1954 was thus a year of football miracles: Hannover 96 became German champions. And just a few weeks later, the German national team won the World Cup for the first time in Bern. In 1955, the DFB decided to hold four of the nine upcoming finals for the German Championship in Hannover – a sign of recognition for the then modern stadium and the flourishing football city.
More than 70 years later, the spirit of 1954 lives on in Hannover. The Niedersachsenstadion – now known as the Heinz von Heiden Arena – has been modernised, but its roots are firmly planted in that era. The club has experienced many highs and lows since then, oscillating between the Bundesliga and the second division, and even playing on the European stage. Today, Hannover 96 sits in fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga with 21 points and will face SV Darmstadt 98 on matchday 12.
We’ve analysed their opponent for the weekend in our opponent check.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Benjamin Källmann – 6 Goals | Maurice Neubauer – 3 Assists |
| Hayate Matsuda – 3 Goals | Enzo Leopold – 3 Assists |
| Virgil Ghiță – 2 Goals | Jannik Rochelt – 3 Assists |
| Noel Aseko – 2 Goals | Mustapha Bundu – 2 Assists |
| Boris Tomiak – 2 Goals | Benjamin Källmann- 1 Assist |
Christian Titz
Head coach at Hannover 96Hannover 96 plays Titz-style football. With a proud 57 percent possession, the Lower Saxony club leads the league statistics, sending a clear message: they want to dictate the game, they always want to have the ball. Behind them are Preußen Münster and 1. FC Magdeburg, each averaging 55 percent possession – ambitious, hardworking, but overshadowed by the even more dominant Hannover side.
A warm June afternoon lay over Hannover as Husseyn Chakroun put pen to paper in the catacombs of the Heinz von Heiden Arena. With a determined smile, the 20-year-old forward signed his new contract with Hannover 96 – a moment that meant far more to him than just a one-year extension. It was the continuation of a story that had only just begun.
The second-division club has extended the contract with the Hannover native, originally running until 2026, early until June 30, 2027. With this move, the club is sending a clear message: they believe in Chakroun’s potential – and in the path he has taken over the past two years. „Husseyn is a true street footballer in the best sense of the word. And you can see that in his game,“ says Hannover’s sporting director Marcus Mann, adding: „He brings joy to the game, creativity, and courage. It’s a great pleasure to follow his development – and we don’t see that as being over yet.“
Chakroun’s story at Hannover 96 is a unique one. Without having received traditional training at a youth academy, he joined the Reds‘ academy two years ago. Previously, Chakroun played for JFV Calenberger Land and HSC Hannover. He impressed with his passion, pace, and an unorthodox playing style that quickly made him a fan favourite among the amateur team. In the 2023/24 season, he played a crucial role in the U23 team’s promotion to the 3rd division, contributing eight goals and twelve assists in 34 appearances. His debut in the 2nd Bundesliga followed in the spring of 2024 – in a home match against SC Paderborn.
Chakroun has already made his mark internationally. He represented Lebanon and scored in his very first appearances. These experiences, he says, have matured him: „You learn to take responsibility, no matter where you play.“
For the club, the contract extension is not only recognition of his individual achievements but also a statement. It represents their confidence in young players who find their way through local football – and their willingness to offer these talents long-term prospects.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
In an intense 90 minutes between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Lilies fought back to secure three points shortly before the final whistle. The early lead taken by the team from southern Hesse was quickly erased by the Rhinelanders. The match became increasingly wild and physical. The second half remained evenly contested, but in the end, SV 98 once again demonstrated their fighting spirit: Matej Maglica's late header sealed the three points. What do the players and the two head coaches have to say about this thrilling encounter? We've compiled all the post-match reactions.
SV Darmstadt 98 remain a force to be reckoned with at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! The Lilies defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 (1-1) on matchday 23. It's their sixth consecutive home win, bringing their total to 45 points. Hornby opened the scoring for the home side after just seven minutes, before Maglica (88th minute) netted the decisive goal in the second half.