In the run-up to SV Darmstadt 98's away game at Hannover 96 (November 23rd/1pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered questions from the media representatives present at the press conference on Thursday (November 21st). We have summarised the most important statements from our head coach for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader, Paul Will and Christoph Zimmermann are definitely out. However, the sick Klaus Gjasula and Luca Marseiler as well as Guille Bueno with thigh problems are questionable. It is pleasing that Fraser Hornby was able to return to full team training.
It will be an attractive game. Because two teams meet that generally like to have the more active part during a game. We are looking forward to a big challenge with a great atmosphere in a large stadium. We know that playing against the league leaders away from home is currently the hardest possible task in the league. Hannover has euphoria and an overall stable team with few goals conceded and individual quality in all parts of the team. But we are also coming from a positive phase. We created opportunities to win games. Even though we have great respect, our goal on Saturday is to score points in Hanover.
Whether it’s a 5-4 or a 1-0 win, the main thing is a win. That would be my wish for Saturday. In the last few weeks I have to attest to the fact that the team’s willingness and desire to defend and also have fun with it has become much more pronounced. In addition to all the offensive drive, this is extremely important for points and success.
Hannover 96 has an incredibly stable defence with outstanding interior defenders and a very good goalkeeper – especially with Halstenberg and Neumann as well as Knight, they have outstanding players. The team never stops defending – no matter what the situation is. You have a good feel for defence. Overall, Hannover has a very strong team. Stefan is in his third year at 96 and is doing very good work. He will also play his 200th second division game on Saturday. This is also shown by the experience that awaits us on Saturday.
My appreciation for Stefan is very high. He plays a type of football that I also really like. He thinks very offensively and tries to play aggressively against the ball and find solutions through combination football. But something like this requires development. Now in his third year in Hanover you can see how stable the team has become.
I don’t care about the so-called „Kohfeldt table“. In the last few weeks I have the feeling that far too much revolves around me. What has happened in the last few weeks is primarily a credit to the players who achieved these positive results. In addition, it is also the work of a large team that I have to give huge praise to.
It’s always special to play the first game after the international break. We worked with one or the other individually. What is very positive about Fraser is that he is fully available to us again. He trained with the team without any problems and fully. An international break like this always has advantages and disadvantages. It wouldn’t have bothered us to play again on the weekend. The phase of the last few months has also been very stressful for employees and players. So it’s good to have a week to work and train without the weekend game taking over everything. Now we’re looking forward to the final spurt until Christmas. We want to get through this phase as best we can with as many points and as many good performances as possible until Christmas. I feel this energy in all the employees and of course the players too.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
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.