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.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
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: