Press conference in the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor. Before SV Darmstadt 98's upcoming away game at VfL Wolfsburg (May 4th/3:30pm), Torsten Lieberknecht took a seat in the PK room. The Lilien head coach answered questions about the rest of the season and the upcoming game. We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personal update: Fabian Holland and Fraser Hornby are still out injured. Klaus Gjasula (pelvic and abdominal muscle contusion), Clemens Riedel (ankle problems), Sebastian Polter and Bartol Franjic (both infections) as well as Braydon Manu (rehab after a torn muscle fiber) and Matthias Bader (nose operation) were also out. Marvin Mehlem is again an option for the squad.
Of course we are all very disappointed about the relegation. But we have the expectation, and every single player must also have the expectation, of finishing the season professionally – starting with the game in Wolfsburg. The eyes are primarily on the players and how they will play in the upcoming games. We started training again yesterday. The boys have a good tension and are ready to make a good impression. After all, you have the privilege of playing in the first division. Therefore, they should play the games professionally. For this we need a certain pressure and a certain tension, but also a certain amount of looseness. Ultimately, VfL Wolfsburg still needs the last points to be completely safe in this tight relegation battle. After that, it’s all about international business for Hoffenheim. And then we have a big highlight with Borussia Dortmund that every player can apply for in a training week and in the games beforehand.
VfL Wolfsburg has undergone a coaching change to counteract relegation concerns. If you know what is being invested at VfL and what quality there is, it is surprising in which regions Wolfsburg are this season. VfL has a team with outstanding individual players. There was a red card for Wolfsburg in the first leg, but we couldn’t take advantage of it. We don’t like losing to a team twice in a season. That’s why we want to win the second leg against VfL Wolfsburg – that’s how we go to Wolfsburg.
Regardless of whether a player’s contract is expiring or the boys are here beyond the summer: I look at the training performance and the respective tension of the players within a training week. The performance in the last game is also taken into account. I’ve always had this principle. I will stick to that too.
We are checking and considering. Paul also makes his own impressions during training sessions and games. But no final decisions have been made yet. However, with players like Julian Justvan and Tim Skarke, we know that it will be very difficult to keep them. Tim, for example, scored eight goals for the bottom team. With Julian we also saw that the loan was fruitful. Overall, all of the loan players contributed so much that they wanted to get the most out of it. That’s why the clubs also see that they have a benefit when they give players to us on loan.
Definitely yes. I stay here. And very much so.
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.