Collected one point. The Lilies draw 1-1 in the away game at Werder Bremen. SV Darmstadt 98 showed good morale after being behind for a while and equalised the Green-Whites' lead before the break. After the break, South Hesse continued to press and scored two further goals. However, VAR intervened twice, the lilies return home with one point; instead of having three points in the bag. How do the two head coaches view the game? What do the Darmstadt protagonists say? We have compiled all the voices about the game for you.
“Unfortunately it has only become one point. Nevertheless, it is a point that must continue to give us strength. We showed today that we were very resilient – as long as we kept order. Defensively, I saw a good game from us. When we concede a goal, we don’t push through the defence properly. The creation was the problem, not the own goal itself. In the second half we no longer wanted to hold the ball for so long, but instead wanted to play forward with one or two touches in order to create scoring opportunities. The fact that it wasn’t enough today is due to millimeter decisions.
On the disallowed goal in added time: “I would like to meet the inventor of the handball rule in person. But not today.“
“We played a good first half hour, that was our best phase of the game. However, we lacked accuracy in finishing and the final pass and didn’t have the necessary consistency. We left too much behind. After 30 minutes, Darmstadt got into the game better thanks to our own inaccuracies. In the last 20 minutes the game has become wild and too open. Darmstadt had two opportunities, each of which was denied. We were somewhat lucky there. The handball rule isn’t exactly great. You could do a lot more with “intention” and “not intention”. But in the end it’s the rule – to our advantage, to the disadvantage of the people of Darmstadt.”
„It’s incredibly bitter. Unfortunately, the rule is the rule. But it’s a rule that should definitely be changed. In our situation it’s certainly brutal. And unfortunately, offside is also offside. But from an emotional point of view, it’s of course difficult today , but the referee did everything right. Nevertheless, we can take a lot from today. We had problems at the start of the game, but after that we got better and better into the game. We played the wings better and also had shots. Later it was an open game in which we waited for the moment that could change the game. This moment even happened twice, unfortunately both goals were overturned. Overall, our plan worked well, we had a good game, were very well prepared and went away again. We got one point, even though we would of course have preferred three points.
“For me the rule is nonsense because the goalkeeper kicks the ball at me from very close range, but I would like to watch the scene myself first and get an idea. It’s bitter for us because we invested everything today and unfortunately it wasn’t enough for three points. Now we can’t bury our heads in the sand, we have to move on. The faith is definitely there.”
„At the beginning of the game we didn’t have the access we had imagined. We then changed, retreated a bit and waited for mistakes. That’s how we came into the game better. The equaliser gave us energy. In the second half, Bremen had more possession of the ball, but overall we defended well and also had one or two chances to counterattack. The game can then go either way. We were hoping for a bit of luck today. That it would end like this in the end. It’s extremely bitter. You can be angry with the rule, but not with the referee. Even if it was very emotional at that moment. Now we have to take the point with us and look forward.“
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.