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.
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.