While most of the players are already on their summer break, Fabio Torsiello still has another game on the agenda. The offensive player was called up for the U19 national team and a friendly against Denmark. We spoke to Fabio about the call up, his Bundesliga experiences and many other topics.
sv98.de: Fabio, your season isn’t over with the game in Dortmund, you were nominated for the U19’s and a friendly against Denmark on May 22nd. How excited are you about this?
Fabio Torsiello: I am of course very happy and proud of this nomination. It’s something very special to be able to play for Germany at this level. And at the same time I can also represent SV 98 there.
sv98.de: You played six games for the U18s and could now make your debut for the U19s…
Torsiello: Exactly, I was already nominated once on call and should have been nominated again, but unfortunately I injured myself and therefore had to cancel. Now it would be really nice if I could play at this age level for the first time.
sv98.de: You travelled to the U19’s with 10 Bundesliga appearances. Do you sometimes have to be amazed that this number is now in your statistics?
Torsiello: Absolutely. In my year, there aren’t that many players in Germany who have already been able to play in the Bundesliga. Accordingly, I am very grateful that I have received this trust and this number of matches here. Every single game was special and a great experience, even if it was only two or three minutes. It’s only when I’m a little further away and after the games that I realise where and who I was playing against.
sv98.de: There will probably also be corresponding feedback from friends and family…
Torsiello: Of course, my friends have known me for ages and they tell me that it’s crazy when they suddenly see me in the Bundesliga at the weekend. But it’s important to me that I don’t change compared to these people, but remain Fabio and don’t define myself by appearances in the Bundesliga.
sv98.de: You made your Bundesliga debut in Heidenheim, can you still remember the feeling when you came on as a substitute?
Torsiello: I was running on the pitch and first had the task of handing Klaus Gjasula a note from the coach. And then I realised: ‚Now it starts, now you have to be ready, now there’s no turning back.‘ Unfortunately we couldn’t catch up, but it was of course a special day.
sv98.de: The game in Leipzig was probably a similarly big highlight. In the starting XI against a Champions League participant…
Torsiello: After I saw my name in the starting lineup, I couldn’t stop smiling. I was full of emotions, wrote it directly to the family and arriving at the stadium was indescribable.
sv98.de: How did it generally feel to be on the pitch against the best footballers in the country?
Torsiello: They all definitely have something. (laughs) At the game in Leipzig I wore running shoes rather than soccer shoes because I was running after so much. You immediately notice what quality these players have. At the same time, it is also an incentive to reach this level yourself.
sv98.de: It was of course a disappointing season for the team, but can you personally look back on the year a little positively?
Torsiello: Of course, relegation clouds everyone’s season balance. But for me it was still a very positive year. I’m grateful that I got my chances and was able to learn a lot. People like to say: one eye laughs, one eye cries. I think this sentence fits my personal season quite well.
sv98.de: What have you learned this season?
Torsiello: I have to be much more consistent. The players in the Bundesliga perform at an extremely high level week after week; in this league you can’t afford any major fluctuations. In addition, the difference to the 2nd league was of course extreme. There we were often the team that dominated the game, but now we have of course experienced different game progressions and were usually punished coldly for our mistakes. And as a striker you especially notice that you often only get one chance in the whole game and then you have to be there. In the game against Augsburg I had a great opportunity when the score was 6-0 and I took a little too much time. And despite the high lead, the opponent ran after me with full energy and prevented me from finishing. That also showed me what the Bundesliga means.
sv98.de: In addition to all the Bundesliga moments, you also played five games in the U19 Hessenliga and helped the team with four goals. It’s completely normal for you to also appear for the young Lilies?
Torsiello: Of course, that’s my team too. I’m happy to be there for these guys; I’ve known many of the players for several years. There I am always seen as Fabio and not as a professional who comes down from the first team. We have a lot of fun and it’s nice to play with them.
sv98.de: With Asaf Arania, another young Lily has made her debut in the Bundesliga. Were you particularly happy for him?
Torsiello: I’m always happy when one of the boys makes it. Clemens helped me a lot back then, now I tried to help Asaf as best as I could. After his debut in Wolfsburg we also spoke and I congratulated him and told him again that he should enjoy what he was able to experience there.
sv98.de: Next year we will continue in the second league. You’ve already logged a few minutes there during the promotion season, are you already looking forward to the new season or are you just thinking about the U19 national team and then the vacation?
Torsiello: I’m now looking forward to the game against Denmark and then, even on holiday, I’ll constantly be thinking about football and will often have a ball at my feet. I can’t do without. Of course I will also switch off, but I also want to prepare myself so that I can give full throttle when I start preparing. And of course I want to help ensure that we can have a good season.
sv98.de: A lot of things are changing in the youth sector for the new season, the top talent team is being introduced. Certainly something good for young players, right?
Torsiello: That’s really great. Many youth players can gain their first experience in the men’s area there and also get used to the speed and hardness. The Hessenliga is certainly a start at a high level. Conversely, a few players from the professional team can also get their first minutes there after injuries and get match practice. This is certainly a good thing for the club. And I’ve already spoken to some players from the U19, and many of them are happy to be able to take this step.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
In an intense 90 minutes between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Lilies fought back to secure three points shortly before the final whistle. The early lead taken by the team from southern Hesse was quickly erased by the Rhinelanders. The match became increasingly wild and physical. The second half remained evenly contested, but in the end, SV 98 once again demonstrated their fighting spirit: Matej Maglica's late header sealed the three points. What do the players and the two head coaches have to say about this thrilling encounter? We've compiled all the post-match reactions.
SV Darmstadt 98 remain a force to be reckoned with at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! The Lilies defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 (1-1) on matchday 23. It's their sixth consecutive home win, bringing their total to 45 points. Hornby opened the scoring for the home side after just seven minutes, before Maglica (88th minute) netted the decisive goal in the second half.