The Lilies' next important away duel is on Saturday (April 6th/3:30pm). This time Torsten Lieberknecht's team isn't traveling particularly far: they're heading over to Rheinhessen to see 1. FSV Mainz 05. The SVD needs every point in the fight to stay in the league. But before the Darmstadt team go into another direct duel in the relegation battle in Mainz, you can find all the important facts about the game here. What gives hope for victory? What are the strengths of 1. FSV Mainz 05? And which lilies were once on the hunt for goals for the FSV? You can find out in our top facts about the game.
Although there wasn’t the victory they had hoped for last Sunday, the Lilies were still able to claim a point after the 2-2 draw in Bochum and gain fresh self-confidence with a sensational comeback. Finally, the Darmstadt team equalised a 0-2 deficit. It is now important to take this positive energy with us into the coming games. The next duel with a direct competitor follows on Saturday (April 6/15:30). Mainz are currently in the relegation playoff spot with six points more than SVD.
Lots of goals? Nope. The last five meetings between the two teams all ended with a maximum goal difference. In the first half of the season there was only a 0-0 draw at the Böllenfalltor. There were a total of 19 encounters between the two clubs – the Lilies were successful six times. What’s interesting is that the goal difference is only 29:28 for 1. FSV Mainz 05, even though they were able to celebrate four more successes. The clearest result came in the 1988/89 second division season, when the Lilies won 7-0 at home. A game that will certainly still be in the memory of one or two fans who have been there for a while…
This season, the FSV is focusing primarily on the basics. With an average of 213.5 tackles per game, they are in second place in the league rankings. Third place in the league comparison comes in another statistic thanks to 245 sprints per game. The 05ers are also at the top in the categories of foul play and duels won (more on this in our opponent check). Especially in home games, the defense can be seen as a bargaining chip; from the Lilies‘ point of view, this has to be cracked first. But Torsten Lieberknecht’s men can also be seen to be “ploughing” on the pitch. Most recently, the 2-2 draw in Bochum after being 2-0 down impressively showed that the team still believed in themselves and their chances.
Both offenses haven’t set off any real fireworks so far this season, and the first leg at the Böllenfalltor consequently ended in a goalless draw. With 22 goals of their own, Mainz had the second weakest attack in the league, while the Lilies were able to celebrate 28 goals of their own. But both teams have a glimmer of hope in their ranks. On the SVD side, Oscar Vilhelmsson was able to score in each of the last two Bundesliga games, and he also attracted attention with four goals in two games during the international break for Sweden’s U21 national team. On the 05er side, Jonathan Burkardt is getting better and better, the 23-year-old scored in the last three home games in which he played – most recently against VfL Bochum he even scored a brace in front of the home crowd.
For, Torsten Lieberknecht, 34-year-old Klaus Gjasula, is definitely not available. He received his fifth yellow card of the current season against VfL Bochum in the 85th minute and is therefore suspended on Saturday. With four yellow cards, defender Jannik Müller has to be careful. Fabian Holland and Christoph Zimmermann have also received four yellow cards.
For Jonathan “Jonny” Burkardt, Saturday will be his first competitive game against his former club. The native of Darmstadt played for the Lilies‘ youth sides until 2014, and since then the striker, who is currently in good form, has been active in Mainz.
But there are also some players and coaches on the SVD side who have already worn the 05er jersey. Aaron Seydel and Gerrit Holtmann were even able to get a taste of European action for Rheinhessen; on December 8, 2016, both were on the pitch together from the 87th minute against FK Qabala. Although not in European action, Sebastian Polter was on the pitch for Mainz in 13 Bundesliga games in the 2013/14 season. Our head coach also has a 05 past: Torsten Lieberknecht played in a total of 95 competitive games for Mainz from 1995 to 2002. Goalkeeping coach Dimo Wache also knows his way around Mainz very well. The 50-year-old played for the club from the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital for 15 years. The former goalkeeper played a total of 406 competitive games for FSV and is still Mainz 05’s record player.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
| Home | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 21:17 |
| Away | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7:12 |
| Overall | 19 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 28:29 |
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.