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.
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: