The journalists present asked the questions, Florian Kohfeldt provided the answers: The press conference took place on Friday morning (October 25th) before the home game of SV Darmstadt 98 against SSV Ulm (October 27th/1:30pm). The Lilien's head coach spoke about the duel on Sunday, the upcoming opponent and the inner workings of the team after the win against Köln. We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: Klaus Gjasula is out due to illness. Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader, Paul Will and Christoph Zimmermann are still missing.
It’s a game with a certain emotional starting point that you have to grasp. We had a Friday evening game against 1. FC Köln and had not won a home game in 383 days. We settled the issue with the win. The big challenge for us on Sunday is that we all bring the same energy to the pitch – we and the entire stadium. We will need that against a very well-organised opponent. We want to win here on Sunday. We will certainly have opportunities to do this too. But we will only succeed if we bring the same energy to the pitch as we did last Friday.
Different things will be required against Ulm than against Köln. We will have the ball more, but at the same time less space. We have to work a lot harder on speed on offense. We have to be extremely careful when it comes to counter-protection and counter-pressing. These are great strengths of the people of Ulm. They are a physically large team that can create danger through set pieces. At the same time, Ulm has also conceded one or two set-piece goals in the last few weeks. We have to be alert on offense and take advantage of our chances. I’m really looking forward to this game because it will require a different facet from us.
Ulm has a very good defense. They are extremely strong in running and tackling. They have the best tackle rate of all second division teams. SSV Ulm is a large, traditional club that has experienced remarkable development. We look forward to Sunday with great respect, but also with great joy.
We have a very high level of role satisfaction in the team. Of course, everyone has the right to be on the starting grid permanently. Every professional must have this claim. But we currently have a lot of players who understand their role in the team structure so that we can be successful as a team. Everyone has had their own personal successes and positive moments in the last few weeks. Then it becomes easier to fit into certain roles. Nevertheless, everyone has to have the right to show me that they want to be in the starting line-up at the weekend.
Of course we had a relaxed atmosphere on Friday evening and also on Saturday. We enjoyed the victory for a day. With the start of the new week I felt concentration and focus again. Ideally, we take away self-confidence and clarity from such games. What we must not take with us is laxity, that would be fatal. I didn’t notice any decrease in intensity or concentration. We have had a critical analysis. Overall, it was a convincing performance. Nevertheless, we had to work through a few topics. And we hope that we can take a step forward again against Ulm – even if it will be a different game.
The second consecutive away game, and the last of the season, is upon us. Once again on a Sunday (May 10th, 1:30pm), Darmstadt will be playing away – this time against SC Preußen Münster. Everything you need to know for your final away trip of the season to the LVM-Preußenstadion, about three and a half hours away, can be found here in the usual fan information section.
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.