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.
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.