Courageous. Determined. Fast-paced. Thanks to precisely these attributes, Darmstadt 98 won 4-0 against FC Schalke 04 in the DFB Cup at their home ground, the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor, thus deservedly advancing to the round of 16. The match was overshadowed by a medical emergency shortly after kickoff. We've compiled all the reactions to the cup match against Schalke 04 for you.
„First of all, all the best to the fan. We’re thinking of him and hope he gets through this difficult situation well. The fans handled the situation with incredible respect – Darmstadt and Schalke supporters were united. The way the support was announced again also deserves a mention. Regarding the match itself: We were all really fired up for this cup game and played a very, very good game today. On Friday, we lacked courage. Today, however, we played courageous, purposeful, and fast-paced football – both with and without the ball. I was incredibly pleased with that. We deservedly advanced to the next round of the cup. We’re very happy about that.“
„I’d like to join in the well wishes for a speedy recovery. Congratulations again to Darmstadt and Florian on their absolutely well-deserved victory. We didn’t show the qualities that have distinguished us in recent weeks and months. The only positive thing about the first half was that it was only 2-0. We felt we still had a chance at halftime if we could have stayed solid and not conceded a third goal. But then we made a glaring error in our build-up play, which Darmstadt ruthlessly exploited to make it 3-0 and seal the deal. If we’re not at 100 percent, we have no chance in the cup, especially against a team from our league. These kinds of defeats are painful, but unfortunately, they’re part of the game. We’ll get back up.“
„First of all: all the best to the fan and get well soon from us. You could tell from the start that we were determined to win this game. We tried to use our energy to turn the game in our favour. The team immediately sensed that there was a lot at stake today. We felt it during the warm-up, and the fans really got us pumped up on the way here. The coaching staff is very effective in their analysis. We knew that Schalke are aggressive when they don’t have the ball. But when they push up high, there have to be spaces somewhere. We didn’t find them on Friday, but we did much better today. We created enough scoring opportunities and were very clinical. That’s how you get a game like this.“
Regarding his starting appearance…
„There’s always a bit of excitement. Being in the starting eleven for the first time in a year and a half is something special, especially in a floodlit match at the Bölle. Everyone gets butterflies in their stomach. It was an amazing feeling for me. I think these are the moments you train for week after week.“
„That was a perfect cup night tonight. Because we brought to the pitch from the very first second what we were missing on Friday. We played with incredible intensity off the ball and found excellent solutions with it. All in all, it was a well-deserved victory. We took the lead, and then it’s difficult to score against us. We adapted to Schalke on Friday, but today we didn’t care. From the first second, we played our own game. We radiated danger and energy from every angle. That was one of our best performances of the season. I’m delighted that Bartosz scored. It’s those little things that make the evening even sweeter. Today it wasn’t a question of system, but of energy, and we executed that very well. We settled a score, and we can continue like this. The great thing is, when you say beforehand that an evening match at the Bölle is awesome: And it was.“
…regarding the medical emergency:
„I saw that something was wrong in the North Stand. A huge thank you to the fans and especially to all the emergency services. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery!“
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.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.