Darmstadt bounced back from a weak start, drawing 2-2 (2-1) after 90 hard-fought minutes in the capital. Hertha BSC found themselves two goals up after a quarter of an hour, but Hornby's brace (39th, 62nd minute) crowned their comeback. The unbeaten run for the South Hessians thus continues; their last league defeat dates back to the end of October.
Darmstadt got an early cold shower in the freezing cold of the Olympic Stadium: In the 2nd minute, the home side won the ball in the opposition’s half and quickly countered. Winkler’s cross found Reese, who beat Schuhen. Hertha continued to press: Reese tried his luck twice in the 9th and 12th minutes, but the Darmstadt captain was equal to the task each time. After 15 minutes, however, the ball was in the net again, and once more the goal stemmed from a turnover by the visitors. Eitschberger intercepted the ball, cut inside, and finished to make it 2-0.
The visitors recovered somewhat after that, but the hosts remained the more assertive team overall. After half an hour, Darmstadt were fortunate not to have conceded another goal: Schuhen cleared a Reese cross, but the ball rebounded to Cuisance, who narrowly missed the target from a central position. Almost out of nowhere, the Lilies rekindled their hopes of getting something out of the game at the Olympic Stadium: Klemens fouled Marseiler in the penalty area, and Hornby easily converted the resulting penalty, six minutes before the interval. Darmstadt then enjoyed their best spell of the game and nearly equalised in stoppage time. Lidberg’s low cross found Nürnberger, whose first shot was blocked and his second attempt was cleared for a corner. So, at the half time whistle, the Lilies deservedly went in behind.
The visitors carried their momentum into the second half, applying considerable pressure, particularly down Marseiler’s left flank. Hertha didn’t shy away from the challenge either, resulting in an entertaining match. After 59 minutes, Darmstadt came close to equalising, with Ernst just managing to tip Maglica’s header over the bar. The 2-2 equaliser seemed increasingly likely, and in the 62nd minute, it arrived: Lopez’s cross found Hornby in the centre, who bundled the ball over the line from close range. A brace for the striker!
In the 70th minute, the visitors had a man advantage: Marseiler’s solo run down the pitch was brought down by Kownacki’s tackle, and referee Lechner immediately brandished the red card. The game almost turned completely around after that, but Lidberg fired the ball against the underside of the crossbar from point-blank range with 13 minutes remaining. A lead would certainly have been deserved by then. From then on, a few fouls crept in during midfield and the game lost some of its pace. Hertha had one last chance in stoppage time, but Schuhen held onto the ball. Thus, Darmstadt return to southern Hesse with a point after trailing 2-0.
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.