The floodlights cast long shadows across the freshly mown grass, and the fans in black and blue eagerly await kickoff. The stadium reflects not only the energy of the game, but also the memory of a journey this club has taken together with its city – from humble beginnings to the second division.
The origins of SC Paderborn 07 date back to a merger in 1985, when SV 07/10 Schloß Neuhaus and FC Paderborn joined forces – a decision that seemed unthinkable to many at the time, but is now considered the foundation of the club as it exists today. In the first season after the merger, passion and fighting spirit dominated: the runner-up finish in the Oberliga (fifth tier) and a memorable DFB Cup appearance against Borussia Dortmund remain etched in memory. The following decades saw highs and lows – including promotion to the newly formed Regionalliga (fourth tier), setbacks such as relegation on the final matchday, but also great successes like immediate promotion back to the Oberliga and multiple state cup victories. Crucially, one thing always remained constant: continuous development and the will to build something.
In the new millennium, SC Paderborn 07 continued its journey to the professional leagues. After years of stabilization, the long-awaited leap into the 2. Bundesliga was achieved in 2005, sparking great enthusiasm in the region and elevating the club to a new level. Seasons of thrilling matches, relegation play-offs, and finally, the first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2013/14 season followed – an absolute highlight for the club and its fans. But football is a game of extremes: after the soaring success came relegation, which even saw SC Paderborn 07 temporarily drop down to the 3. Liga. However, instead of giving up, SC Paderborn used this period as an opportunity for a fresh start and continued to develop.
Present day: Paderborn currently sits in fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga with 32 points. We’ve taken a closer look at their opponent for the final match of the first half of the season in our opponent analysis.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Filip Bilbija – 8 Goals | Mika Baur – 5 Assists |
| Laurin Curda – 5 Goals | Raphael Obermair – 2 Assists |
| Mika Baur – 2 Goals | Sebastian Klaas – 2 Assists |
| Stefano Marino – 1 Goal | Laurin Curda – 2 Assists |
| Sven Michel – 1 Goal | Ruben MĂĽller – 2 Assists |
Ralf Kettemann
Head coach of SC Paderborn 07SC Paderborn 07 impressed this season primarily with their formidable heading ability. With eight headed goals, they are the most dangerous team in the air across the league. This strength is also reflected in their finishing: 60 headed shots represent the best record in the league and underline SCP’s constant presence and penetrative power in the air.
Sometimes it’s the little things that reveal the most about a person. A tattoo, inconspicuous to outsiders, but full of meaning for the wearer. The Peter Pan motif on Felix Götze’s skin is just such a symbol. It represents a shared understanding between brothers, memories that stretch back to childhood. „With Peter’s motto ‚Never grow up,‘ we felt a strong connection back then – and we still do today,“ the SC Paderborn centre-back told the club’s media. It’s an unspoken principle between the brothers. This curiosity, lightness, and joy – despite growing expectations – accompany Felix Götze to this day. They help him keep a clear head in moments of pressure and remind him why he chose this path in the first place. For him, football has never been just about performance or career, but always also about a game: a place where passion and freedom come together.
Born on February 11, 1998, in Dortmund, Felix Götze grew up surrounded by football. From an early age, he was drawn to the pitch. He took his first steps in organised football at Hombrucher SV, where his talent and understanding of the game quickly became apparent. It wasn’t long before bigger clubs took notice – and so he eventually joined the youth academy of Borussia Dortmund. There, he learned early on what it means to succeed in performance-oriented youth football: daily training, fierce competition, and discipline.
In 2014, another door opened. Felix transferred to FC Bayern Munich. In the youth academy of the record champions, he developed both athletically and mentally. The years in Munich were characterised by intensive training, high expectations, and the experience of having to prove himself anew every day. Playing time with FC Bayern’s reserve team in the Regionalliga (fourth division) provided him with valuable match experience – and gave him a sense of what it means to take responsibility on the pitch.
The step into professional football came in 2018 with his move to FC Augsburg. For the first time, he breathed Bundesliga air, for the first time he stood on the big stage. It was a period full of learning: new speed, new intensity, new roles. To play regularly and further develop, Felix Götze then consciously chose the path of a loan to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. At the Betzenberg stadium, he experienced football in its most emotional form – loud, passionate, demanding. Another important step followed at Rot-Weiss Essen. Initially on loan, later signed permanently, Götze found consistency and trust there. He became a regular starter, took on responsibility, and increasingly grew into a leadership role. His performances showed that he could not only play but also actively contribute to a team.
Felix Götze has been under contract with SC Paderborn 07 since the summer of 2024. He quickly established himself as a key player in the 2. Bundesliga – not only through his presence in defence, but also through his personality. The captaincy bestowed upon him is an expression of trust and recognition. It demonstrates that the talented young player has long since become a leader.
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 HĂĽnfelder 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 NĂĽrnberger, 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.