The Lilien family had to cope with two farewells at the general meeting on Tuesday evening (October 21st): Rüdiger Fritsch and Wolfgang Arnold bid an emotional farewell to their positions. Markus Pfitzner was also elected as the new president of SV Darmstadt 98. Furthermore, the hiking department is approaching a special anniversary, and of course, there will still be soccer games. You can read about these and other topics in our weekly column "Lilien Across the Board."
SV Darmstadt 98 has a new president: Markus Pfitzner was unanimously elected as Rüdiger Fritsch’s successor by the members present at the general meeting on Tuesday evening (October 21st). „We bring a great deal of complementary skills and will also look at issues from different perspectives, which I consider a great strength. We will work reliably, seriously, but also very ambitiously to further strengthen our economic path. We want a stable and independent SV 98!“ Pfitzner emphasised at the general meeting. He will pursue this path as part of a team. The SV 98 executive committee is completed by Volker Harr and Arnd Zinnhardt, as well as Anne Baumann and Roy Reinelt-Peter.
Rüdiger Fritsch, the long-time president of SV Darmstadt 98, has stepped down from his position after 13 years. He served on the Lilies‘ executive board for a total of 17 years. Under his leadership, the club experienced remarkable development. From dark times, he transformed the Lilies into an ambitious second-division club. He built a solid foundation – both financially and in terms of infrastructure – and prepared the sports club for the future. „It’s a collaborative effort,“ Fritsch emphasised in his farewell speech, in which he thanked fans and members, as well as long-time companions. Above all, he thanked his team consisting of Markus Pfitzner, Volker Harr, Anne Baumann, and Wolfgang Arnold. Addressing them, he said: „We have worked together, laughed, cried, and celebrated all these years. Thank you for unforgettable years – united to always give our best for our glorious club.“ Fritsch ended his speech emotionally with the words: “Goodbye and stay as you are, because one thing is certain: the SVD will never perish!”
In recognition of his outstanding services, Rüdiger Fritsch was named an honorary member of SV Darmstadt 98 with the approval of all members present. Honour where honour is due.
He joined the club in 1990 as a football father and coach of the youth team, and served on the executive board since 1996. What a long time! After a total of 29 years, Wolfgang Arnold said goodbye to the executive board of SV Darmstadt 98 at the general meeting. „At some point, you have to make room for younger talent and complete the generational change,“ he said some time ago. At the general meeting in the Böllenfalltorhalle, Arnold, who had been chairman of the amateur sports departments since 1996, stated: „It has always been important to me to make diversity and commitment visible. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible. Together we have achieved a lot. I am convinced that the sports departments and the fan and support department are in good hands and will continue to develop well.“
In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, Wolfgang Arnold was also named an honorary member of SV Darmstadt 98. After 29 years of service on the executive committee, he was also honored as honorary chairman of the board of the sports departments and the fan and development department. Wolfgang Arnold’s motto also applies: Honour where honour is due!
It’s a busy week for SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team. This Wednesday evening (October 22), the Junglilien (Young Lilies) will host 1. Hanauer FC on the artificial turf pitch at SV 98’s youth academy in Darmstadt. After four consecutive defeats, the Darmstadt team is determined to get back on track. Will they succeed this Wednesday against the bottom team in the LOTTO Hessenliga?
First against the bottom team, then against the league leaders. A special highlight awaits the SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team next Saturday (October 25). Coach Daniel Petrowsky’s team will play their first home game at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor against the Eintracht Frankfurt U21. Kick-off is at 3:30pm. Tickets are available here and at the box office on Saturday.
The hiking department of SV Darmstadt 98 is approaching a very special anniversary. 999 hikes have already been completed. Now, next Sunday (October 26th), a magical milestone will be broken: the 1,000th hike is scheduled! This is remarkable, as each individual hike was at least ten kilometers long. To mark this special occasion, the hiking department, headed by Gerda Krüger, cordially invites all Lilies to join in the hike around Bad König and celebrate the 1,000th hike together.
The hiking department also recommends bringing backpack-sized food for your break, as well as sturdy footwear and hiking poles. Anyone who wants to drive directly to Bad König or doesn’t have a Hessen „Senior Citizen Ticket“ should contact the following person:
Beatrice Simon
Tel: +49 6151 54559
Mobile: +49 160 91866188
Nothing to count for the Lilies‘ fans. Last Wednesday evening (October 15th), the „second second team“ of SV Darmstadt 98 hosted the second team of SG Arheilgen at home. The Lilies fell behind in the sixth minute after an early goal from the visitors. Despite a committed effort, the Darmstadt team initially failed to create any dangerous scoring opportunities. In the 32nd minute, Arheilgen increased their lead to 2-0. Even after the break, the visitors continued to dominate the game and extended their lead to 3-0 in the 65th minute. Only then did Darmstadt show more resistance: Julian Schreiber created a brief glimmer of hope with the goal after 76 minutes to make it 3-1. But Arheilgen was not to be deterred, retaining control and scoring in the 84th minute to make it 4-1.
This leaves the „second second team“ in twelfth place in the Kreisliga B with eleven points. In the away game next Sunday (October 26th), the Lilies‘ fan base will be on the attack again to keep up with the midfield. Kick-off against SKV Hähnlein is at 3pm on the grass pitch in Alsbach-Hähnlein.
On Saturday (October 25th), Alexander Ryan celebrates his special day. The Head of Performance can look forward to his 37th birthday. We wish you all the best and a day filled with joy and wonderful moments, Alex!
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.