On that spring day in the mid-1950s, the Karlsruhe stadium filled up long before kickoff. People streamed through the entrances, wrapped in blue and white, full of anticipation for what was to come.
The 1955/56 season was to become a very special one for KSC. It turned out to be the most successful season in the club’s history: Karlsruher SC were crowned South German Champions, finished as German Vice Champions, and won the German Cup again. It was a period in which the club established itself in the upper echelons of the Oberliga Süd (Southern Premier League). These consistently strong finishes ultimately led to KSC becoming one of the founding members of the new Bundesliga in 1963. A historic step – Karlsruhe was there from the very beginning as a new era of German football began.
The first Bundesliga season, 1963/64, ended with a 13th-place finish. But just one year later, the club was on the brink of relegation. Finishing second-to-last, relegation to the second division would have been inevitable – had the league not been expanded to 18 teams. But the relief was not to last. After the 1967/68 season, KSC suffered the fate it had escaped three years earlier: finishing last in the table, the club was relegated. For the first time since the 1952 merger, Karlsruhe was no longer playing in the top German league.
Today, KSC stands on a foundation forged from these highs and lows. The club has established itself as a fixture in the 2. Bundesliga and currently sits in 8th place with 21 points. We’ve taken a closer look at KSC in our opponent analysis.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Fabian Schleusener – 9 Goals | David Herold – 5 Assists |
| Lilian Egloff – 5 Goals | Marvin Wanitzek – 3 Assists |
| Marvin Wanitzek – 4 Goals | Fabian Schleusener- 2 Assists |
| Roko Simic – 3 Goals | Andreas Müller – 2 Assists |
| Marcel Beifus – 2 Goals | Christoph Kobald – 2 Assists |
Christian Eichner
Cheftrainer beim Karlsruher SCKarlsruher SC has been particularly strong in the air this season. Christian Eichner’s team has scored five goals with their heads. This makes KSC the second-best team in the league in aerial duels, surpassed only by SC Paderborn. However, the club is not only impressive in front of goal, but also in creating chances. A total of 34 shots on goal have resulted from headed assists – placing KSC fifth in the league statistics.
Rafael Pinto Pedrosa sits relaxed on the bench after an intense training session, his shoulders still warm from the final match, his shoes covered in grass. A large portion of steaming fries sits before him – golden and crispy. With a broad, genuine grin, he tells „MeinKarlsruhe“ how much he enjoys this little reward: „When I’m watching my brother’s games or after my own – fries just hit the spot, especially after a good game and a win.“ At that moment, he doesn’t seem like an aspiring professional footballer, but like a perfectly ordinary 18-year-old appreciating the simple, beautiful things in life. And that’s precisely what makes him so likeable: behind the focused athlete is a down-to-earth young man who manages to remain unfazed by the increasing public attention.
Rafael was born in Pforzheim in 2007, into a family where sport, and especially football, was far more than just a hobby. He took his first steps in club football at SV Kickers Pforzheim. There, he quickly stood out for his exceptional technique, his joy of playing, and his impressive vision. The ball seemed glued to his feet; his movements appeared instinctive, almost effortless.
In 2017 came the moment that would decisively shape his career: the move to the youth academy of Karlsruher SC. In a more professional environment, with structured training and strong individual support, he truly took off. He progressed through all the age groups – from the U15s to the U17s and finally to the U19s. Even at a young age, he gained valuable experience that demanded physical robustness, tactical discipline, and assertiveness. Step by step, he developed further: becoming more athletic, more mature in his decision-making, and more consistent in his performance.
In the summer of 2024, the hard-earned milestone followed: his promotion to the KSC professional squad. Finally, in 2025, Rafael signed a long-term contract. A clear sign of the club’s great confidence in him.
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.