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.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.