The year is 1926. Hertha BSC, the third-oldest professional club in Germany, is in the final of the German championship against SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The final score is 1-4 for Berlin. A year later, they have another chance, this time against 1. FC Nürnberg, but again it is not enough. The Old Lady loses 2-0. In 1928, Hertha BSC is back in the final, this time against Hamburger SV. It is a match on even terms, but they lose 2-3. And even on their fourth attempt, in 1929, the title remains out of reach when SpVgg Greuther Fürth once again stumbles, defeating the Berliners 3-2. But this story is not just about four lost finals in a row. Above all, it tells of how Hertha BSC defied all setbacks at its fifth attempt, reaching the final again and triumphing 5-4 against Holstein Kiel in sweltering heat in front of 40,000 spectators in Düsseldorf. The long-awaited championship title was finally brought to Berlin—a moment etched in the memory of the club and its supporters. On Sunday (August 24th at 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 host the Old Lady, and we'll introduce you to the club in more detail.
This episode alone clearly demonstrates the extent to which Hertha BSC is characterised by its ups and downs. After a period of turmoil and existential challenges, the Old Lady was forced to embark on the bitter journey to the second Bundesliga in May 2023 after ten years of top-flight relegation. Now, with new leadership, clear values, and a sustainable strategy, the club is attempting to rebuild its past successes and assert its place in German football.
| Top Arrivals | Top Departures |
| Dawid Kownacki (from Werder Bremen, Forward) | Ibrahim Maza (to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Midfielder) |
| Paul Seguin (from FC Schalke 04, Midfielder) | Derry Scherhant (to SC Freiburg, Winger) |
| Niklas Kolbe (from SSV Ulm, Defender) | Bradley Ibrahim (to Plymouth Argyle, Midfielder) |
| Maurice Krattenmacher (Loan from FC Bayern München, Midfielder) | Jonjoe Kenny (to PAOK Saloniki, Defender) |
| Leon Jensen (from Karlsruher SC, Mittelfeld) | Palkó Dárdai (to Puskás AFC, Winger) |
Stefan Leitl
Head coach of Hertha BSCIf one attributes some significance to the first two matchdays, one thing in particular stands out about Hertha Berlin: They have the ball – and let their opponents run. With an average of 54 percent possession, the Berlin side currently have the third-best possession percentage in the league. Only Preußen Münster (56 percent) and Dynamo Dresden (59 percent) have more possession.
Incense sticks fill the apartment with a lightly burnt scent, while a singing bowl emits vibrating and moving tones. A spiked mat underfoot improves circulation. This unusual program is complemented by exercises with a samurai sword, intended to strengthen coordination and self-confidence.
What sounds like a shamanic ritual is actually part of Michael Cuisance’s matchday preparation – as reported by BILD in October 2024. This alone shows that Cuisance is a footballer willing to try anything to achieve success. And the work with his mental coach, Benjamin Berg, is apparently paying off. „I notice that I’m relaxed and my head is clear,“ he explained.
His sporting career also testifies to his great ambition. Discovered at Borussia Mönchengladbach, he moved to the mighty FC Bayern Munich at the age of 20. But as he himself admitted in retrospect, the move came too soon: „I was very young. When you have a contract with Bayern at 18 or 19, it’s hard to stay focused. Sometimes I thought: I’m playing for Bayern, now I can do less.“ As his time there drew to a close, he was loaned to Olympique Marseille, where he faced a lot of criticism: „I experienced difficult things that would have caused some people to give up, like my year in Marseille,“ Cuisance told the portal transfermarkt.de.
After several stops in Italy, he finally found his way to VfL Osnabrück. There, his career took off again, and Cuisance emphasised that he had rediscovered his love of football. In the summer of 2024, he moved to Hertha BSC – and now he seems to have settled there. In the 2024/25 season, he became a key player, contributing six goals and seven assists in 32 second division games.
„Micka possesses exceptional qualities on the ball and has already given our fans a great deal of pleasure with his style of play and creativity. Furthermore, he fully identifies with the club and the city,“ said sporting director Benjamin Weber upon Cuisance’s contract extension in May 2025. Hertha fans are certainly delighted that Cuisance continues to enchant fans with his football. Like a true shaman.
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.
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.