Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference ahead of the match against Hannover 96 (April 11th/8:30pm) about the fast-paced first game, the strong opponent, and the squad. We've compiled the most important statements from our head coach for you.
Personnel update: Luca Marseiler (torn cruciate ligament), Isac Lidberg and Kai Klefisch (both suspended due to yellow cards) are not available.
We really struggled in Bielefeld. It was probably our worst game of the season. We couldn’t find any solutions, neither individually nor as a team. These things happen, but it stands out because it’s rarely been the case for us.
I have great confidence in the group and in our ability to deliver a different performance and find different solutions against Hannover. I don’t sense any loss of confidence, not even within the team. I’m looking forward to the home game on Saturday evening against a top opponent who’s currently one place below us in the standings. We’re excited for the match, want to approach it with confidence, and bring our strengths to the pitch.
We know about Hannover’s unique style of play. They play very aggressively off the ball and use a lot of man-to-man marking all over the pitch. They’re very patient in attack. Hannover has an incredible number of options in their squad. Especially in attack, they practically have two players for every position.
Perhaps that’s the difference compared to the Bielefeld game. Bielefeld surprised us a bit. Now we know what to expect. We’re excited and confident in ourselves. We’re still in an incredibly exciting situation right now, and we want to project that image.
In recent months, we haven’t been able to replicate our home form away from home. Now we have a home game. We know that, regardless of the opponent, we’ve consistently performed well and always earned at least a point, most recently playing a very good home game against Schalke. That gives us a good feeling, but of course, it’s no guarantee.
It’s pointless to look at the table; so much can still happen before the end of the season. We want to make sure we’re playing for something positive for as long as possible.
Let’s all look forward to a game like this. I can shout it to our office staff, the players, and the fans: We are Darmstadt 98, and we’re in an absolutely fantastic situation, and we should be excited about it and let that shine through. We’ll ignore the table; this game is going to be awesome.
We need to decide whether we want to field a very mobile attacking lineup or a single target man. Fynn and Bartosz are our target men. If we want to play more flexibly up front, we can move Fraser into that position.
Regarding the double pivot, we’ve always said that if Kai is unavailable, Mey is the player who, alongside Hiro, maintains the balance in our game with his physicality and tackling ability. Mey is certainly the favourite for that position in a double pivot.
That was probably one of the best second-division matches of the season. As my colleague from ARD said, „A game that should never end.“ It wasn’t a festival of errors; almost everything that happened was well-executed, and it was a pretty awesome game. It would be great if we could see another game like that, ideally with the same result.
You’re always nervous when you’re not directly involved. If I were a fan, I’d have a beer at 7pm and then head to the stadium relaxed. (laughs) It’s going to be a close game. Both teams are top teams in the league. Both teams are attack-minded. Hannover has a very clear possession-based style, and we’re probably a bit more versatile in all attacking aspects. There will be a lot of close, small moments that will decide the game.
For the first time this season, SV Darmstadt 98 finished a match at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor without any points. The Lilies offered more resistance to Hannover 96's two goals in the second half. However, the pressure exerted by the South Hessians at the end proved fruitless. Read here what the players and both head coaches had to say about the defeat, which Darmstadt considered deserved overall.
Everything has to end and so the undefeated home record of SV 98 ended on Saturday night. Hannover 96 triumphed 2-0 (1-0) to hand the Lilies their first home loss of the season at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
Another top match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. On matchday 29 (April 11th/8:30pm), Hannover 96 visits Darmstadt. For the clash with their direct league rivals, Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. The suspended Lidberg and Klefisch are replaced by Lakenmacher and Papela, and Niklas Schmidt comes in for Marco Richter. Bartosz Bialek returns to the Darmstadt 98 matchday squad for the first time this calendar year after recovering from injury.
Once again at 8:30pm, floodlights, top match, and at the Bölle! On Saturday (April 11th/8:30pm), Hannover 96 visits Darmstadt, and once again two teams from the top five meet at Nieder-Ramstädter-Straße. What do the two head coaches have to say before the match? Who will be the referee? And who will be the commentator? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the game against the Lower Saxony side for you in "Matchday Compact."
At their home game on Saturday (April 11th, 8:30pm) at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, SV Darmstadt 98 will send an important message. Together with the Björn Steiger Foundation and the German Heart Foundation, the club will promote the HERZSICHER (Heart Safe) initiative. The initiative aims to empower as many people as possible to perform CPR in the event of cardiac arrest through free 60-minute resuscitation courses. The German Football Association (DFB) is a cooperation partner.
An evening full of classics: At the "Lionel Richie Tribute Night" on June 27, 2026 (Saturday evening, doors open at 8:30pm), Jimmie Wilson will bring the greatest hits of the American soul singer live to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. A concert evening presented by SV Darmstadt 98 Stadion GmbH in a special atmosphere – whether for singing along, dancing, or simply enjoying the music.
“A colourful house, a monkey, and a horse” – Pippi Longstocking isn't the only one with these mascots; these two animal friends also feature in the mascot history of Hannover 96. The club has been supported by many different animals in the past, including a monkey and a horse.
On Saturday evening (April 11th/8:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will host the team from Hannover 96 and asks you to take note of the following information.
SV Darmstadt 98 aims to extend their home record. However, the task ahead is a tough one: As the league's best home team, the Lilies host Hannover 96, the second-best away team and also their direct rivals in the standings. Both teams are deservedly in the top third of the table, having impressed both offensively and defensively. We've compiled all the key facts and figures for Saturday evening's second division clash. Here you'll find the top facts about the match between the team from southern Hesse and the Lower Saxony side.
“Fernie becomes sporting director at SV 98” – SV Darmstadt 98 made this announcement exactly two years ago today, on April 8, 2024. Paul Fernie has been working as sporting director for the Lilies for two years now. In his Lilienkurier column “Post from Paul,” the 38-year-old looks back on his first two years at the Böllenfalltor stadium – words that we would also like to share with you on our homepage.
Looking ahead. Bielefeld is behind us, Hannover is the next target. We report from the media briefing with Marco Richter, as well as on the young Lilies and our partner club from San Antonio. This week we also celebrate the anniversary of the Lilies‘ sporting director and several birthdays. Read „Lilies Across the Board“ here.
SV Darmstadt 98 congratulates its honorary member Alfred Krämer on his milestone birthday. The long-time chairman of the board of directors of the Lilies celebrates his 80th birthday on April 6th. Until his voluntary retirement in 2021, Krämer served the club for nearly two decades in a leading position on the board of directors, making invaluable contributions.