The wind whistles across the hard court on the outskirts of the city as a small group of young men pull up their socks. It's a cool morning in the early 1920s, yet there's a special energy in the air. On the sports grounds of the Freiburg Gymnastics Club of 1844, the sound of leather hitting grass, motivational shouts, and the crunch of studs fills the air. Here, in the middle of a simple training area, the club that decades later would become one of the most influential football clubs in southwest Germany is taking shape: SC Freiburg.
In the 1920s, SC Freiburg was not yet an independent force within Freiburg’s sporting landscape. As the football division of the Turnerschaft (gymnastics club), the players used its pitches and infrastructure – yet a distinct identity was already beginning to develop. In 1921, the club even acquired its own office, an organisational step that underscored the young club’s ambitions.
A milestone followed in 1928. SC Freiburg was finally able to move into a proper football stadium – the Winterer Stadium in the west of the city. With space for significantly more spectators and a modern facility for the time, it became the club’s new home. The team promptly repaid the club’s faith in them with a spectacular 2-1 victory against the reigning German champions, 1. FC Nürnberg, at the inauguration. For many Freiburgers, this match marked the moment when SC Freiburg truly stood „on the big stage“ for the first time.
But the club’s development wasn’t straightforward. After the end of World War II, the stadium was taken from them – SC Freiburg was once again without its own home ground. Forced by circumstances, the players returned to the facilities of the Turnerschaft (gymnastics club); a temporary situation that nevertheless strengthened team spirit. The next major turning point came in 1954: the inauguration of a new sports field, which would later become the club’s permanent home. With this ground, the club began its gradual transformation into the professional football club that, over the decades, gained nationwide renown. Today, SC Freiburg occupies a mid-table position in the Bundesliga and will face Darmstadt 98 in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup. We’ve taken a closer look at Darmstadt’s opponent for next Wednesday (December 3rd, 6pm).
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Vincenzo Grifo – 7 Goals | Yuito Suzuki – 4 Assists |
| Derry Scherhant – 4 Goals | Christian Günter – 3 Assists |
| Maximilian Eggestein – 3 Goals | Matthias Ginter- 3 Assists |
| Yuito Suzuki – 3 Goals | Johan Manzambi – 3 Assists |
| Johan Manzambi – 3 Goals | Vincenzo Grifo – 2 Assists |
Julian Schuster
Head coach at SC FreiburgSC Freiburg has shown a diverse range of performances in this cup campaign. In the first round, Julian Schuster’s team prevailed 2-0 against Sportfreunde Lotte, followed by a comfortable 3-1 victory against Fortuna Düsseldorf in the second round. Remarkably, Freiburg’s five goals were scored by five different players: Dinkci, Höler, Matanovic, Grifo, and Scherhant each found the back of the net. The assists were equally varied, with five different players involved: Lienhart, Günter, Manzambi, Matanovic, and Suzuki all provided the necessary assists.
Vincenzo Grifo was born in Pforzheim in 1993 to Italian parents. From an early age, he grew up in an environment that shaped him both athletically and personally. His family instilled values such as solidarity, discipline, and respect – qualities that Grifo would later embody on the football pitch. He took his first steps in organised football with local clubs in the Pforzheim region. VfR Pforzheim became his home club, later he joined Germania Brötzingen, before returning to VfR and finally being accepted into the youth academy of Karlsruher SC.
Grifo quickly attracted attention – primarily through his technique, vision, and instinct for crucial moments. In 2012, he began his professional career at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, initially in the reserve team, but soon gained experience with the Bundesliga squad. Loan spells at Dynamo Dresden and FSV Frankfurt followed in 2014.
For the 2015/16 season, Grifo permanently joined SC Freiburg, where he immediately impressed as a creative playmaker. In 2017, he made the move to Borussia Mönchengladbach, later returning to Hoffenheim – neither of which brought him the hoped-for breakthrough.
In 2019, a loan spell brought him back to Freiburg, where he immediately picked up where he left off. Since then, he has been a permanent member of the club. Grifo has now made 307 competitive appearances for Freiburg, scoring 94 goals and providing just as many assists – figures that underscore his central importance to the club. In 2025, SC Freiburg extended his contract early, a clear sign of their appreciation for his performance and his personality.
At SC Freiburg, he finally achieved his breakthrough in professional football. Here, he established himself not only as a technically gifted playmaker but also as a leader who takes responsibility. Despite public criticism online, Grifo remains focused – supported by his family, who provide him with unwavering support in the often hectic world of professional sports.
As Florian Kohfeldt approached the team's dressing room at halftime, the Darmstadt head coach heard exactly one sentence: "It's not finished." Fraser Hornby had uttered it, setting the tone for his teammates and himself. What followed was a remarkable second half from Darmstadt 98 and a point against SV Elversberg, a point that, while likely insufficient for their promotion hopes in southern Hesse, nonetheless filled the Darmstadt fans with pride.
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.
They fought to the very end, playing with ten men, and tried everything. But in the end, Darmstadt had to settle for a 3-3 draw against SV Elversberg in the sold-out Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. How do the Darmstadt players and staff assess the passionate 90 minutes at the Bölle? What did both head coaches have to say about the match? We've compiled all the reactions for you.
No winner in the clash of the pursuers: Darmstadt 98's home game against SV Elversberg ended in a 3-3 (2-3) draw. After three consecutive defeats, SV 98 managed to secure at least a point and now has 51 points this season. Pfeiffer (14th minute) and Hornby (15th and 51st minutes) scored for the team from southern Hesse.
It's home game day at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. On Saturday evening, the 31st matchday of the 2. Bundesliga, SV Darmstadt 98 hosts SV Elversberg. Head coach Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting eleven compared to last week. Raoul Petretta replaces Fabian Nürnberger (thigh injury). Yosuke Furukawa also starts in place of Killian Corredor against the team from Saarland.
A new match under the floodlights awaits! On Saturday evening (April 25th, 8:30pm), Darmstadt 98 play against SV Elversberg. What are the coaches' opinions before the game? Who will referee, broadcast, and commentate the match? And what kind of weather can Darmstadt fans expect at the stadium? All the information is compiled for you in "Matchday Guide."
What are Florian Kohfeldt's thoughts on Saturday evening's match (April 25th/8:30pm) against SV Elversberg? Where does he see the strengths of their upcoming opponent? And how does his team plan to get back on track after three consecutive defeats? The Darmstadt head coach answered these and other questions at the press conference on Friday (April 24th) in the catacombs of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. We've summarised Kohfeldt's key statements from the press conference for you.
On Saturday evening (April 26th/8:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will host the team from SV 07 Elversberg and asks you to take note of the following information.
In the world of football, a yo-yo team is a team that oscillates between two leagues – too good for one league, but not quite at the level of the next higher one. The result is usually many promotions and many relegations. But SV Elversberg is currently redefining the term. For several years now, the yo-yo has been taking SVE almost exclusively upwards.
Saturday evening at the Böllenfalltor, the seventh edition! This time, SV Darmstadt 98 hosts SV Elversberg at the Merck Stadium. Both teams are strong offensively and convincing defensively. But where do the differences lie? And in which statistics do both the team from southern Hesse and the Saarlanders lead the pack? We've compiled all the facts and figures for this match right here for you.
The news that Fabian Holland will no longer play for Darmstadt at the end of this season affected everyone at the club. We take a look at it. Also exciting this week: The U17s host Eintracht Frankfurt's youth team in Pfungstadt today, Wednesday (April 22nd/5pm) for the Hessian derby in the Hesse Cup; the Darmstadt first team will wear members' jerseys against SV Elversberg next Saturday (April 25th/8:30pm); and the Darmstadt VIP box has been temporarily converted into a yoga camp. "Darmstadt Across the Board" on Wednesday is available here.
The end of an era. Fabian Holland's twelfth season in the Lilies' jersey will be his last with SV 98. The 35-year-old's contract, which expires at the end of the season, will not be renewed. The club informed Holland of this decision in a confidential meeting. Both club and player agree to focus entirely on achieving the best possible end to the season until the final match and that any plans for a farewell celebration will depend on how the rest of the season unfolds.