Out with applause: In the expectedly tough DFB Cup round of 16, SV 98 lost 2-0 to SC Freiburg. Despite a spirited performance, the Lilies are thus eliminated from the competition. How did the players and our head coach Florian Kohfeldt see the cup match? All the reactions are summarised here for you.
„Freiburg made much better use of the small moments in the game, which were present on both sides. We deliberately chose to make the game boring at the beginning, to tire out the opponent. But we wanted to create chances with the ball. Defensively, that worked very well for a long time until the penalty. Having nine corners in Freiburg also says something about the control of the game, which we, especially as a second-division team, dared to assume in the second half. Despite being 2-0 down, we didn’t give up and still had a few chances. I’m taking some positives away from this. I’m obviously dissatisfied with the result, but overall I’m not dissatisfied with the performance.“
„It was important for us to stay calm. The urge to do more is always there. At the beginning, our passing wasn’t precise enough, and we lacked pressing. There were a few moments when that worked, and those led to chances. We’re very happy that we also had Flo Müller in goal, who put in a good performance. It was important that we went into halftime with the lead. After the break, Darmstadt did very well. I wasn’t happy with our start to the second half. Darmstadt then had difficulties because we pressed bravely again. The second goal was important for us, and we’re very pleased to be in the quarterfinals.“
„It was a good game from both teams. We would have liked to keep the score at 0-0 longer; that would definitely have increased our chances. After conceding the goals, it was difficult to turn the game around against a Bundesliga team. But we didn’t give up, played bravely going forward, and then created a few scoring opportunities ourselves. We put up a good fight, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.“
„Our game plan actually worked quite well. We wanted to make the game unattractive for the opponent. You could see Freiburg had few solutions. The goal then came at an inopportune moment. We had many chances but unfortunately didn’t score. On a good day, maybe one of them will go in and then it will be an open, end-to-end game. The chances were there for us. I had a good feeling about my shot in the first half, but it wasn’t precise enough. Now we’re focusing on the league.“
On his first start since August 2024:
„I was thrilled to be walking into a stadium again. It was a lot of fun for me personally, but then my calves started to feel it.“
„We played against a top Bundesliga team and still had our chances. With a bit more luck, maybe one of them would have gone in. We’re never satisfied when we lose. Small details and individual quality made the difference today. We had the chances, one of which had to go in, but that wasn’t the case today. In terms of our play, we did well. In a game in Freiburg, we can’t just go all out from the start. Even though it’s not in our team’s nature to defend like that, we did really well. After that, we had some good spells of possession and played bravely. Nevertheless, Saturday’s game against KSC will be a completely different story.“
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.