Tradition, commitment, and a sporting focus: At the New Year's reception in the State Theatre, the Lilies, together with 600 invited guests, looked ahead to the year 2026. There was also reason to celebrate: Marcel Schuhen turned 33 on the day of the reception. On the sporting front, Marco Richter focused on the start of the second half of the season. You can read these and other news items in our weekly column "Lilies Across the Board."
Back in Darmstadt, Marco Richter was in good spirits after the first training session. He had personally racked up more scoring points at the end of the first half of the season, but he doesn’t intend to rest on his laurels. „I try to give my best every day. Now it’s a fresh start. All that matters is the team’s success. And I hope I can help the team,“ Richter said in a media briefing on Tuesday. He feels very comfortable in the „really awesome team“ of SV 98.
Looking ahead to the start of the second half of the season, Richter emphasised that the good results in the first half were only achieved through hard work. „It doesn’t work if we take even one step less. That applies one hundred percent to the game in Bochum as well.“ Nevertheless, SV 98 travels deep into the west with confidence: „We have to be ready from the first second, but we’re going to Bochum with our heads held high and want to start the second half of the season with three points.“
A cherished Darmstadt 98 tradition took place for the second year in a row on Tuesday evening (January 13th) at the Darmstadt State Theatre: the club’s New Year’s reception. Around 600 invited guests from the worlds of sports and politics, as well as partners and sponsors, gathered to celebrate the start of 2026. The players sold raffle tickets for charity, Markus Pfitzner addressed the guests, and the contract extension between SV Darmstadt 98 and HAIX was announced. Further information about the evening can be found here.
Yesterday, Tuesday, there was another reason to celebrate – for Darmstadt captain Marcel Schuhen. The number one goalkeeper for SV Darmstadt 98 celebrated his 33rd birthday that day. For many years – more precisely, since the summer of 2019 – he has been a fixture at the Bölle stadium, shaping the team with his performances as a leader both on and off the pitch. It’s great that you’ve been in Darmstadt for so long. We wish you all the best for your new year!
The SV Darmstadt 98 recreational sports camp, held from January 5th to 9th at the Bürgerparkhalle, offered participating children a variety of fun-filled days with plenty of exercise and team spirit. „We are delighted that the recreational sports camp was so well received. It was fascinating to see how much fun the children had with the different sports that SV 98 offers in its amateur departments,“ said Roy Reinelt-Peter, board member responsible for amateur departments and the fan and support department.
Under the professional guidance of coaches and instructors, the kids were able to try a different sport each day. These included futsal, judo, basketball, table tennis, and headis. It was all the more gratifying that the fully booked camp brought great joy to everyone involved. „The recreational sports camps are an important step in increasing the visibility of our sports departments in the city and the region. We need this visibility to grow our recreational sports program and attract new members to our sports club,“ Reinelt-Peter added.
Together with „Die Haftpflichtklasse VVaG,“ SV 98 is hosting the second edition of the „Chancen+“ study and training fair on January 28th. Over 30 companies will be at the Bölle stadium to present careers, entry-level positions, and training opportunities to students. Whether entire school classes attend or students visit alone, with friends, or with family, all the information is available here.
On Tuesday, January 13, Dr. Karl Heß (1900–1975) would have turned 126 years old. Heß was a former chairman of SV Darmstadt 98 and was posthumously appointed honorary chairman at the club’s general meeting in 2018.
Dr. Karl Heß was a German-Jewish lawyer who, as a sports official and passionate football enthusiast, significantly shaped the development of SV Darmstadt 98 during the Weimar Republic. Due to his Jewish faith, he was expelled from Darmstadt during the Nazi era and forced to flee Germany. In 1963, Heß returned to his hometown. He is representative of the numerous German-Jewish athletes, officials, and supporters who fell victim to Nazi antisemitism. A memorial plaque and the Karl Heß Square, inaugurated on January 15, 2017, in front of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, commemorate his life’s work.
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 Hünfelder 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 Nürnberger, 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.