It was the sixth matchday of the 2017/18 season, a sunny Sunday in September, and the second division fixture between SpVgg Greuther Fürth and Fortuna Düsseldorf was on the schedule. With Florian Neuhaus, Friedhelm Funkel, and Serdar Dursun on or off the pitch, the duel ended 3-1 for Fürth – thanks in part to a brace from Dursun. At first glance, probably just a typical second division victory. But historically significant and unforgettable for everyone in Fürth.
Since that matchday in the 2017/18 season, the team from Sportpark Ronhof has topped the all-time 2. Bundesliga table – and has done so for almost nine years. Greuther Fürth has amassed 1827 points, a full 137 points ahead of second-placed St. Pauli. 495 wins, 342 draws, and 420 losses in 1257 2. Bundesliga matches! Many impressive statistics, each a record in its own right. The goal statistics are equally remarkable: 1856 goals scored and 1653 conceded. No other team in the history of the 2. Bundesliga has amassed more.
But how are they doing now? Let’s take a look.
Unlike the all-time table, Greuther Fürth currently sit in 17th place before matchday 30, occupying a direct relegation spot. However, as is well known, the league is not only tight at the top but also in the bottom half of the table. Only six points separate Fürth from tenth place. Furthermore, Fürth are currently level on points with the teams in safety. The last five matches started promisingly for Greuther Fürth, with victories against Hannover and Elversberg giving them a boost in their fight for survival. With a total of seven points from their last five games, Fürth certainly have no reason to be ashamed.
| Opposition Team | Result | Points |
| Preussen Münster (A) | 0:0 | 1 |
| SC Paderborn (H) | 0:2 | 0 |
| Karlsruher SC (A) | 3:1 | 0 |
| SV 07 Elversberg (H) | 2:0 | 3 |
| Hannover 96 (A) | 1:2 | 3 |
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Noel Futkeu – 12 Goals | Felix Klaus – 7 Assists |
| Felix Klaus – 7 Goals | Branimir Hrgota – 7 Assists |
| Branimir Hrgota – 4 Goals | Noel Futkeu – 5 Assists |
| Dennis Srbeny – 3 Goals | Dennis Srbeny – 2 Assists |
| Jannik Dehm – 2 Goals | Aaron Keller – 2 Assists |
Heiko Vogel
Head coach of Greuther FürthAttack: Loss of possession. Verdict: Goal conceded. That’s how the decision would go if the judge were from Fürth. Greuther Fürth ruthlessly exploits the opposing team’s turnovers. Eleven times already, a ball recovery by Fürth has led to a goal – only Elversberg has scored more. Darmstadt must therefore be extremely cautious, so that against Vogel’s team, the saying „loss of possession = goal conceded“ doesn’t apply.
Near Zurich, on a football pitch by Lake Greifensee. It was there, in 2005, that two twin brothers faced off during training. Their names? Jan and Nico Elvedi. While Nico has been playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach for eleven years, his brother Jan has played for a variety of clubs throughout his career. Despite their different paths, Jan Elvedi repeatedly emphasises the close bond he shares with his twin brother. He did so again in an interview with the newspaper „Blick“: „We always played together. Nico came first for me, then my teammates.“
His career began in the Zurich youth academy, and he also played in Switzerland for Winterthur, Cham, Wohlen, and Kriens. Six years ago – more precisely, in the summer of 2020 – the 29-year-old first gained a foothold in Germany. He spent three years each at Jahn Regensburg and Kaiserslautern before a loan move to Fürth in the winter of 2026. The Swiss player, like his brother, plays in central defence. Both brothers dream of facing each other in the cup every year. This almost happened in 2024. However, instead of the twins, Jan faced Saarbrücken in the semi-final, who had previously knocked out Borussia Mönchengladbach. Saarbrücken’s cup run ended against Kaiserslautern, and Jan Elvedi achieved what his brother had never managed before: reaching the DFB Cup final in Berlin.
Greuther Fürth’s cup dreams are currently far from reality, but the tension is palpable. Every point counts in the relegation battle – it’s fortunate that Elvedi has been an immediate asset. Before his arrival, Greuther Fürth conceded an average of 2.4 goals per game; with Elvedi, that number has dropped to just 1.5. He has played the full 90 minutes in eight of his ten appearances in the green and white jersey. Will the same be true on Sunday (April 19th/1:30pm) against Darmstadt?
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: