SV Darmstadt 98 suffered a disappointing 2‑0 home defeat to SC Paderborn 07 on May 17, 2026, in a German Bundesliga 2 encounter that saw the visitors dominate proceedings at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor. The result ends Darmstadt’s slim playoff hopes, while Paderborn strengthened their mid‑table standing.

Match Summary

From the opening exchanges, Paderborn looked the sharper side. They controlled possession and created the clearer chances. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when striker Sven Michel latched onto a through ball from midfielder Ron Schallenberg and fired low past the Darmstadt goalkeeper.

Second Half Control

Darmstadt tried to respond after the break, but their attacks lacked precision. Paderborn doubled their lead in the 71st minute through a well‑worked set‑piece; a corner was headed on by defender Marcel Correia, and midfielder Kai Pröger swept the ball into the net from six yards out. Darmstadt’s best chance came via a long‑range effort from Tobias Kempe that was tipped over the bar by Paderborn keeper Jannik Huth.

Defensive Solidity

Paderborn’s backline, led by captain Uwe Hünemeier, remained resolute throughout. They restricted Darmstadt to only three shots on target and kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in six away matches. The visitors also managed to see out the game comfortably, even after a late injury to Schallenberg.

What the Result Means

• SV Darmstadt 98 – Remain in 12th place, now mathematically out of the promotion race.
• SC Paderborn 07 – Move up to 8th place, level on points with the top half.