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 |
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.