SC Paderborn 07

SC Paderborn 07
source
Clubname	SC Paderborn 07
Founded	1985
Ground	Home Deluxe Arena
Capacity	15,000
Chairman	Elmar Volkmann
Manager	Lukas Kwasniok
League	2. Bundesliga
Season	2023–24
Position	2. Bundesliga, 6th

SC Paderborn 07. SC Paderborn 07 is a German professional football club based in Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was formed in 1985 through the merger of the football departments of TuS Schloss Neuhaus and 1. FC Paderborn, and has since experienced a dramatic journey through the tiers of German football. It currently competes in the 2. Bundesliga, having established itself as a notable club known for its attacking philosophy and remarkable promotions.

History

The club's modern history began with its 1985 formation, but its roots trace back to its predecessor clubs in the early 20th century. After years in the amateur Oberliga Westfalen and Regionalliga, the club achieved a historic promotion to the 2. Bundesliga for the first time in 2005 under coach Jos Luhukay. A subsequent financial crisis led to a forced relegation, but a remarkable resurgence followed, culminating in back-to-back promotions under coaches André Breitenreiter and Stefan Effenberg to reach the Bundesliga for the first time in 2014. This period included a memorable run to the DFB-Pokal semi-final in 2015, where they were defeated by Borussia Dortmund. After relegation, the club, led by manager Steffen Baumgart, achieved another extraordinary direct return to the top flight in 2019, cementing its reputation for resilience.

Stadium

The club plays its home matches at the Home Deluxe Arena, known for sponsorship reasons but traditionally called the Benteler-Arena and originally named the Hermann-Löns-Stadion. Located in the Schloß Neuhaus district, the stadium has undergone significant renovations and expansions, particularly following the club's promotions to the Bundesliga. With a capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators, it is known for its compact, intimate atmosphere and modern facilities. The ground has hosted matches in the 2. Bundesliga, Bundesliga, and DFB-Pokal, becoming a fortress for the team's energetic style of play.

Players

The club has been a platform for several players who have achieved notable careers. Key figures in the club's rise include striker Srdjan Lakić, midfielder Alban Meha, and defender Uwe Hünemeier. In recent years, players like captain Ron Schallenberg, attacker Filip Bilbija, and midfielder Marcel Mehlem have been central to the squad. The club has also developed talents such as Jamilu Collins, who earned a move to Cardiff City, and has seen experienced campaigners like Kai Pröger and Florent Muslija make significant impacts. The team is known for its collective spirit and has often outperformed expectations with a squad assembled on a modest budget.

Honours

The club's honours reflect its journey through the German football pyramid. Its major achievement is winning the 2. Bundesliga championship in the 2013–14 season, which secured promotion to the Bundesliga. It has also won the 3. Liga title twice, in the 2010–11 and 2018–19 seasons. The club was champion of the Regionalliga Nord in 2005 and has won the Westphalia Cup (Westfalenpokal) on multiple occasions, which provided entry into the DFB-Pokal. Its deepest run in the national cup remains the semi-final appearance in 2015.

Recent seasons

Following relegation from the Bundesliga in 2020, the club has consolidated its status in the 2. Bundesliga. Under the management of Lukas Kwasniok, appointed in 2021, the team has played an attractive, high-pressing style of football. The 2022–23 season saw a strong campaign finishing in the upper mid-table, while the 2023–24 season concluded with a sixth-place finish, demonstrating consistent competitiveness. The club continues to focus on sustainable development, blending experienced players with promising youth from its own academy and the wider German football league system.

Category:Association football clubs in Germany Category:Sport in North Rhine-Westphalia