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 |
As Florian Kohfeldt approached the team's dressing room at halftime, the Darmstadt head coach heard exactly one sentence: "It's not finished." Fraser Hornby had uttered it, setting the tone for his teammates and himself. What followed was a remarkable second half from Darmstadt 98 and a point against SV Elversberg, a point that, while likely insufficient for their promotion hopes in southern Hesse, nonetheless filled the Darmstadt fans with pride.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
They fought to the very end, playing with ten men, and tried everything. But in the end, Darmstadt had to settle for a 3-3 draw against SV Elversberg in the sold-out Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. How do the Darmstadt players and staff assess the passionate 90 minutes at the Bölle? What did both head coaches have to say about the match? We've compiled all the reactions for you.
No winner in the clash of the pursuers: Darmstadt 98's home game against SV Elversberg ended in a 3-3 (2-3) draw. After three consecutive defeats, SV 98 managed to secure at least a point and now has 51 points this season. Pfeiffer (14th minute) and Hornby (15th and 51st minutes) scored for the team from southern Hesse.
It's home game day at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. On Saturday evening, the 31st matchday of the 2. Bundesliga, SV Darmstadt 98 hosts SV Elversberg. Head coach Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting eleven compared to last week. Raoul Petretta replaces Fabian Nürnberger (thigh injury). Yosuke Furukawa also starts in place of Killian Corredor against the team from Saarland.
A new match under the floodlights awaits! On Saturday evening (April 25th, 8:30pm), Darmstadt 98 play against SV Elversberg. What are the coaches' opinions before the game? Who will referee, broadcast, and commentate the match? And what kind of weather can Darmstadt fans expect at the stadium? All the information is compiled for you in "Matchday Guide."
What are Florian Kohfeldt's thoughts on Saturday evening's match (April 25th/8:30pm) against SV Elversberg? Where does he see the strengths of their upcoming opponent? And how does his team plan to get back on track after three consecutive defeats? The Darmstadt head coach answered these and other questions at the press conference on Friday (April 24th) in the catacombs of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. We've summarised Kohfeldt's key statements from the press conference for you.
On Saturday evening (April 26th/8:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will host the team from SV 07 Elversberg and asks you to take note of the following information.
In the world of football, a yo-yo team is a team that oscillates between two leagues – too good for one league, but not quite at the level of the next higher one. The result is usually many promotions and many relegations. But SV Elversberg is currently redefining the term. For several years now, the yo-yo has been taking SVE almost exclusively upwards.
Saturday evening at the Böllenfalltor, the seventh edition! This time, SV Darmstadt 98 hosts SV Elversberg at the Merck Stadium. Both teams are strong offensively and convincing defensively. But where do the differences lie? And in which statistics do both the team from southern Hesse and the Saarlanders lead the pack? We've compiled all the facts and figures for this match right here for you.
The news that Fabian Holland will no longer play for Darmstadt at the end of this season affected everyone at the club. We take a look at it. Also exciting this week: The U17s host Eintracht Frankfurt's youth team in Pfungstadt today, Wednesday (April 22nd/5pm) for the Hessian derby in the Hesse Cup; the Darmstadt first team will wear members' jerseys against SV Elversberg next Saturday (April 25th/8:30pm); and the Darmstadt VIP box has been temporarily converted into a yoga camp. "Darmstadt Across the Board" on Wednesday is available here.
The end of an era. Fabian Holland's twelfth season in the Lilies' jersey will be his last with SV 98. The 35-year-old's contract, which expires at the end of the season, will not be renewed. The club informed Holland of this decision in a confidential meeting. Both club and player agree to focus entirely on achieving the best possible end to the season until the final match and that any plans for a farewell celebration will depend on how the rest of the season unfolds.