Foto: SV 98 16.07.2025 / English
Akiyama joins the Lilies on loan
SV 98 has strengthened its midfield: Hiroki Akiyama joins the Southern Hesse club on loan from Japanese first division club Albirex Niigata. The Lilies have also secured a purchase option. The 24-year-old has already travelled to the training camp in Bad Wörishofen.
Paul Fernie: „In Hiroki Akiyama, we’re gaining an absolute strategist for the centre of defence. His ball control and precision, his precise passing even under pressure, and his vision make him a suitable link player. With his skills, he has the potential to become an interesting piece of our team’s puzzle next season. The fact that he can at least participate in parts of the training camp will also make his integration into the team easier.“
Hiroki Akiyama: „I’m happy to be playing in Germany starting now. I would like to thank everyone involved in the move and who made it possible. I’ve been reading a lot about Darmstadt 98 recently and am looking forward to joining a club with a rich tradition and great fans. My goal is to help the team as best I can to have a successful season.“
Akiyama has played for Albirex Niigata since 2019. He became a fixture there, especially after returning from his loan spell at Kagoshima United in January 2022. After making 20 league appearances in the 2022 season (in Japan, the league runs from February to December), he made 26 appearances in Japan’s top flight in 2023. Last season, Akiyama played in all 36 league matches, captaining his team in 18 of them. In the current season, he has played 15 matches in the J1 League. Akiyama has played a total of 141 times for Albirex Niigata.
From now on, he will wear the jersey of the Lilies and wear the number 16.
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
SVD vs. Bielefeld: Win ENTEGA fan seats
Once again this season, our premium partner ENTEGA is creating unique stadium experiences. For every home match, you can win two VIP fan seats in the main stand and also gain access to the ENTEGA VIP Lounge. The application deadline for the match against Bielefeld is Wednesday (September 9th) at 12pm.
First defeat of the season
SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team lost 2-1 (0–0) to Türk Gücü Friedberg. Following a narrow but deserved defeat, Patrick Kurt’s squad has the opportunity to pick up points again as early as Wednesday.
Digital coupons now available in the app
As of today, digital coupons are available to all users of our WirLilien app. Lilien members receive additional exclusive discounts, while non-members can also take advantage of initial offers.
DFB-Pokal Second Round: Lilies in Elversberg
The draw for the second round of the DFB-Pokal has taken place: SV Darmstadt 98 will play away at SV Elversberg. This was the result of the draw held at the German Football Museum on Saturday evening (September 5th), featuring "draw master" Bastian Schweinsteiger and broadcast live on ARD's Sportschau.
“Seriousness was lacking in our game.”
A solid first half, including a missed penalty and a bitter goal just before the halftime whistle. And a second half that left everyone involved fuming afterward. In the end, a deserved defeat was recorded, and the Darmstadt players were correspondingly self-critical. Here are the reactions to the 3 - 0 loss at 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
No points at the Betzenberg
Darmstadt 98 will return to southern Hesse empty-handed: 1. FC Kaiserslautern secured a 3-0 (1-0) victory on Saturday afternoon. Sauer (43') scored from close range just before halftime, and in the 64th minute, the Red Devils added another through Tazemeta. Berisha then sealed the win in stoppage time (90+4). Darmstadt 98 remain on just one point after four matchdays this season.
Team News: Kehl and Lührs make their Starting XI Debuts
Darmstadt 98 travel to Betzenberg for their fourth matchday away at 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the Hannover 96 game. Kai Klefisch returns to the starting eleven after serving his suspension, with Nicolas Verkooijen initially taking a place on the bench. Yannik Lührs replaces the suspended Aleksandar Vukotic, while Lars Kehl comes in for Yosuke Furukawa. It will be the first start for both players. William Mikelbrencis is in the squad for the first time, while Manolo Merx is unavailable due to illness.
Matchday Guide: All Information about the Kaiserslautern Game
Up to the Betzenberg! On Saturday (September 5th/1pm), SV 98 will be playing away against FC Kaiserslautern as part of Matchday 4. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Kaiserslautern for you in our "Matchday Guide".
„Let’s not be influenced“
Our head coach spoke about the important "four-field" (the area between the stands and the goal) and his belief in the team's development ahead of tomorrow's away game at the Betzenberg stadium. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Kaiserslautern (September 5th, 1pm) here.
A boxing club of encounters
Commitment to sports, respectful interaction, and joint efforts for a better Darmstadt. All the values that SV Darmstadt 98 strives to embody, and which the Martinsviertel Boxing Club is also meant to symbolise, came together on Thursday evening (September 3rd). At the Boxing Club's open house, which also marked the launch of a joint project between SV 98, the independent organisation Rope e.V., and the Darmstadt Youth Services, the foundation was laid for a new sports program in the Martinsviertel district.
Opposition Check: Kaiserslautern
For 1. FC Kaiserslautern, sporting tragedy and triumph were separated by just seven days in May 1996. On May 18th, after a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen, the club’s first-ever relegation from the Bundesliga was confirmed. After 33 years of uninterrupted top-flight football, the Red Devils had to make the drop to the second division. But just one week later, the chance for a conciliatory end to the season presented itself at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. FCK seized it. With a 1-0 victory against Karlsruher SC, Kaiserslautern won the DFB Cup for the second time, after their first title in 1990.
Facts & Figures: The top facts about the Kaiserslautern game
On Saturday (September 5th), Darmstadt will travel to Kaiserslautern for their fourth matchday fixture. Their historical record against Kaiserslautern couldn't be more balanced: five wins, five draws, and five losses. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.