How is Isac Lidberg's fitness? What can Darmstadt expect from Eintracht Braunschweig? And what is the current competition for places within the team? Head coach Florian Kohfeldt answered these and other questions ahead of Saturday's match at Eintracht Stadium (February 14th, 1pm). We've summarised the most important statements from our head coach's press conference for you.
Personnel update: Matthias Bader and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable. Isac Lidberg’s participation is questionable.
Isac had a good week. It’s not a structural injury. Tomorrow we’ll decide whether it makes sense to take him with us. That also includes whether we give him another week so he’s fully available for the Düsseldorf match. That depends on tomorrow’s training session. Currently, the chances are 50/50. If he can play, I don’t see any limitations on his playing time. Isac is a top striker in this league, and we’re grateful for every minute he’s available.
It’s great to see that we have such a diverse attacking setup. We’re capable of scoring from different positions and in many different ways, and that means we have several goalscorers. Nevertheless, I’m naturally longing for the moment when Isac is back playing and in the starting eleven. It’s all the more pleasing, then, that the guys who don’t always start are ready when needed. We’ve talked a lot about Fynn, and rightly so; he’s a very good example of that.
Eintracht Braunschweig has collected 14 points from their last eight games. Only Magdeburg and we have earned more in that period. They lost one or two key players in the winter transfer window, but they also brought in a lot of quality.
They have a lot of power and pace in their back line. They play a physical game and have fast wingers. They are very good at winning second balls. Furthermore, they are a team that plays exactly the kind of game that we sometimes struggle with.
A huge challenge awaits us. We are aware of this and have great respect for Braunschweig. This is a matchup that doesn’t suit us perfectly. That makes it all the more important that we are aware of this and have the right answers.
The most important thing is that the starting point is the same: We’re traveling to face a brutally dangerous opponent. It’s going to be a really tough away game.
What’s different is that we’re not only traveling with more players than last year, but we’re also a year further along in terms of team stability and the knowledge that we’ve built a strong core. Many of the players who are important now went through this phase. But the biggest difference is that we’re traveling to Braunschweig with 20 players, not 11.
I don’t sense any signs in the team that anyone is taking things lightly. If you focus on the games week after week, deliver the performance, and win those games, it will inevitably be reflected in the standings. But that’s not a topic of conversation in the locker room. I didn’t notice any euphoria, just a focused continuation of our work. That’s why we’re handling it calmly. The fact is: we’re unbeaten in eleven games. That’s good for a team, but what’s crucial is how we deal with it. You have to draw confidence from it and know that you can trust the things we’re doing. Just because we’re top of the table now doesn’t mean our approach has changed.
I was very pleased with what we showed against Kaiserslautern. We’re in the fortunate position of having had another week of training, which has created excellent competition for places. If we look at Isac, Niklas, and Killian, we’re talking about three players who haven’t been in the starting eleven recently, but who absolutely have a legitimate claim to a starting spot. We had a very good training session yesterday, full of energy, intensity, and quality. The battle for places is on.
There are moments when players are disappointed by a decision and need a moment to realize that their role is important in the bigger picture. We address this through conversations. My goal is for everyone to know their role and be ready to contribute to the team’s success. With this clear understanding of roles, the team has developed a team spirit that can handle things a coach or manager can’t. That’s what we mean by building a core and stability. We’re reaping the benefits of that today.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: