11.06.2025 / English
Boëtius celebrates Suriname debut | Lilies‘ Greetings from Vacation
While most of the SV Darmstadt 98 players are on vacation, two Lilies are still in full action. Two friendlies were scheduled for the Bulgarian national team and Fabian Nürnberger. Jean-Paul Boëtius played for Suriname in World Cup qualifying and still has the CONCACAF Gold Cup to look forward to. We report on these and other topics related to SV Darmstadt 98 in our weekly column "Lilien Across the Board."
+++ Holiday greetings from the Lilien professionals +++
While Fabian Nürnberger and Jean-Paul Boëtius are with the national team, the other Lilies players are enjoying their well-deserved summer break. The Iberian Peninsula is once again particularly popular this year: Sergio López is spending relaxing days on a boat off Mallorca, Fraser Hornby is using his free time in Spain to play golf, Luca Marseiler prefers to soak up the sun in Ibiza, and Merveille Papela has also chosen Spain as his holiday destination. But Spain isn’t the only attraction for the Lilies – the Benelux countries were also high on the list for two Lilies. Paul Will recovered on a short trip to Brussels, but otherwise he continues to work on his comeback. Marcel Schuhen, on the other hand, spent valuable family time in Katwijk in the Netherlands, building sandcastles with his children. Meanwhile, Isac Lidberg vacationed on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, Killian Corredor enjoyed Greek food on the island of Paros, and Kai Klefisch relaxed on Lake Garda.
+++ SV 98 International +++
Two Lilien players recently played for their national teams. Fabian Nürnberger played the entire 90 minutes of the Bulgarian national team’s second friendly match against Greece. While he was unused in the 2-2 draw in the first friendly against Cyprus on Friday (June 6), he played the entire match that followed. Bulgaria, however, suffered a 4-0 defeat to Greece.
Successful debut for Jean-Paul Boëtius with the Suriname national team in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers – the association for North, Central America, and the Caribbean. The midfielder was not in the squad for the 1-0 win against Puerto Rico on Saturday (June 7). In the second match against El Salvador, Boëtius was part of the starting eleven, playing 84 minutes and contributing to the important point in his national team debut in a 1-1 draw. Suriname currently leads its qualifying group. The best two teams advance to the next round – where three World Cup positions will be awarded from a total of twelve teams.
+++ Good luck, Djanga! +++
After Boëtius’s success in World Cup qualifying with Suriname, the next exciting tournament is just around the corner for him and his compatriots: The Darmstadt native is in Suriname’s squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Gold Cup is a competition held every two years to determine the best football nation from North, Central America, and the Caribbean. The tournament will be held from June 14 to July 6 in the USA and Canada. The reigning and record winner of the competition is Mexico. Incidentally, the Mexicans are Suriname’s group opponents, who will also face Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. SV 98 wishes Jean-Paul Boëtius much success and great games!
Overview of Suriname’s preliminary round matches in the CONCACAF Gold Cup:
| Matchday | Date | Kick-Off | Opposition | Location |
| 1 | Monday – 16/06 | 5am CEST | Costa Rica | San Diego (USA) |
| 2 | Thursday – 19/06 | 4am CEST | Mexiko | Arlington (USA) |
| 3 | Monday – 23/06 | 4am CEST | Dominikanische Republik | Arlington (USA) |
+++ "We play for Annabelle" +++
The SV Darmstadt 98 U19 team will travel to FSV Oppenheim on June 21st for a charity match, kicking off in the early afternoon. FSV, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary on this day, will celebrate the anniversary under the motto „Playing for Annabelle.“ All proceeds and donations from the day will benefit little Annabelle, a member of the local gymnastics club and suffering from ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). The goal is to use this day together to do good and support Annabelle and her family. The Lilies‘ U19 team is happy to participate in this event.
+++ Become part of the youth performance centre +++
Do you want to experience Lilien football up close – not just as a fan, but actively and right in the heart of it all? Then the SV Darmstadt 98 Youth Performance Centre offers you the perfect opportunity! We are looking for dedicated, motivated, and football-loving individuals who want to help shape youth development and become part of a strong community. Whether on the coaching team or in the organisation: At the SV Darmstadt 98 Youth Performance Centre, you can expect an exceptional and friendly working environment where solidarity and passion are paramount. If you’ve always dreamed of taking on responsibility and supporting talented individuals on their journey, then this is the right place for you. Become part of the Lilien family – apply now and shape the future of football!
+++ Happy belated birthday! +++
One of the managing directors of SV Darmstadt 98 celebrated his 55th birthday on Monday (June 9). Martin Kowalewski, a native of Hofheim, began his football career as a youth player with the Lilies and moved to the professional team in the 1987/88 season. There, the former defender made an impressive 172 appearances for Darmstadt in the 2. Bundesliga and Regionalliga Süd, scoring one goal. After more than 14,000 minutes of playing time in the blue and white jersey, he finally moved to FSV Frankfurt.
Kowalewski also began his professional career in 1997 as Head of Marketing at SV 98, subsequently working for UFA Sports GmbH and Sportfive GmbH & Co. KG before serving as Managing Director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Marketing GmbH from 2009 to 2015. He returned to Darmstadt in March 2020 as Managing Director of Marketing/Sales. SV 98 wishes you a very happy birthday, Martin!
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
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.
Disappointment & pride
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.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
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.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
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.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
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.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
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.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
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.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
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".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
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.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
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.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
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.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
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.