Foto: SV 98 17.04.2024 / English
Fernie officially introduced | “You are a fighter”
Paul Fernie officially started working at SV Darmstadt 98 this week, and the press conference for his introduction took place on Tuesday (April 16). There was bad news on Monday (April 15): Lilien captain Fabian Holland tore his cruciate and medial ligaments in the Freiburg game. What is more pleasing, however, is that you can watch the SVD on the training ground again this week or cheer on the Zwote at two home games. You can find out all this in our weekly section “Lilies across the board."
+++ “We can build something together” +++
Paul Fernie is now officially a lily. On Monday (April 15th) he introduced himself to the team, and on Tuesday (April 16th) the new sports director of SV 98 took his seat in the Lilien’s press conference room for the first time in his new role. In addition to a lot of information about his decision to join Darmstadt 98, his qualities and his tasks at the South Hesse team, the 37-year-old also gave insights into his career to date. “My CV is certainly not entirely normal,” smiled Fernie, who was never a professional footballer himself. In his youth he played as a right-back, but could also be used in midfield or on the left and right wing. “But I was the type of player who asked a lot of questions. I always wanted to know “why”. That probably annoyed one or two coaches,“ said Fernie with a wink, before he then returned the focus to his new job as sports director at the Lilies: „It’s important to feel a commonality in terms of humanity. The feeling I have that at Darmstadt. We can build something together.”
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 +++ This, that or that? +++
“When it comes to “the”, “them” or “that”, I will always have my problems,” said Paul Fernie, immediately causing a laugh in the press conference room of SV Darmstadt 98. The Lilies’ new sports director was convincing on Tuesday afternoon ( 16.4.) as part of his official presentation, but with impeccable German. How well the British-born man speaks the German language did not go unnoticed by the journalists present, which is why he naturally had to answer questions about his language skills. “In my early days in Germany, I went to evening school twice a week. At some point I just started talking,” explained Fernie, who speaks to his wife and son at home mainly in German.
You are a fighter and will overcome this hurdle too!
+++ "Get well soon, Captain!" +++
What very bitter news for Fabian Holland and the whole club. The captain of SV 98 will miss this and large parts of the coming season due to a torn cruciate and medial ligament. The diagnosis shocked all Lilien fans as well as teammates and former companions, so Holland was at least able to look forward to many encouraging words on social media. „Get well my friend. You are a fighter and will overcome the hurdle,” wrote Lilien keeper Marcel Schuhen on Instagram. Alexander Brunst also wished the defender a lot of strength: “Come back stronger, Captain.” Tobias Kempe joined in. “Get well soon, Capitano!” he typed in the comments under the post about Holland’s injury. Wilson Kamavuaka, who played with Holland at the Lilies from 2017 to 2019, also spoke up in his Instagram story with a “Get well soon, bro!” Overall, the entire Lilien family showed a high level of sympathy. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish Fabian Holland all the best: Come back quickly, Capitano!
+++ Second team with English home game week +++
After the Lilien fan team suffered an annoying 2:3 away defeat at DJK-SSG Darmstadt last weekend, there are two ways to make amends this week. The team led by coach Andreas Degenhardt will play on Wednesday (April 17/7:30pm) in the pursuit duel against the second representative of FTG Pfungstadt. Afterwards, the Lilies don’t have much time to rest, on Sunday (April 21/3pm) the second team hosts TSG Wixhausen II at home again.
+++ Watch the SVD during training! +++
This week it will again be possible for SV 98 fans to see the lilies during training. The training sessions on Wednesday (April 17/3pm), Thursday (April 18/3pm) and Friday (April 19/12:30pm) are all open to the public. The team around coach Torsten Lieberknecht is looking forward to your visit before the away game in Cologne on Saturday (April 20th/3:30pm).
+++ Attention: Fake profile of Torsten Lieberknecht on Facebook +++
Even Torsten Lieberknecht is not spared from fake profiles on social media. There is currently a Facebook profile circulating online that claims to be our head coach. Please note: This is a fake profile, Torsten Lieberknecht does not have an official Facebook profile. If you see content from this profile in the future, please report it.
+++ Happy Birthday!³ +++
Current and former lilies are celebrating their birthdays again this week. On Monday (April 15th) we were able to celebrate our long-standing team doctor, Dr. Michael Weingart, on his 73rd birthday. Benjamin Gorka also celebrated his birthday on Monday. The former central defender played for the 98ers from 2012 to 2017 and was now happy about his 40th birthday. Katrin Herbig’s blue-white birthday week ends on Friday (April 19th), the Lilies‘ current physiotherapist will be 28 years old. Happy Birthday! Good luck and happiness for everything to come in the new year to you three!
Facts & Stats: The top facts about the Dresden game
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Fan Information for the Dresden Game
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
„Pure football romance“
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
“Now I’m happy in Darmstadt!” | Lilies launch their 5th tree planting campaign
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Opposition Check: SG Dynamo Dresden
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
5th Tree Planting Campaign: Register now!
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
U21: With renewed energy into the rest of the season
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
Analysis of the home victory: The resistance fighters from Bölle
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.
Krombacher Böllenfalltor GOAL bonus
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.
„We held onto the belief in victory until the very end.“
In an intense 90 minutes between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Lilies fought back to secure three points shortly before the final whistle. The early lead taken by the team from southern Hesse was quickly erased by the Rhinelanders. The match became increasingly wild and physical. The second half remained evenly contested, but in the end, SV 98 once again demonstrated their fighting spirit: Matej Maglica's late header sealed the three points. What do the players and the two head coaches have to say about this thrilling encounter? We've compiled all the post-match reactions.
Home win! Impressive winning streak continues at Bölle
SV Darmstadt 98 remain a force to be reckoned with at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! The Lilies defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 (1-1) on matchday 23. It's their sixth consecutive home win, bringing their total to 45 points. Hornby opened the scoring for the home side after just seven minutes, before Maglica (88th minute) netted the decisive goal in the second half.
Team News: Hornby and Lidberg Start
Darmstadt host Fortuna Düsseldorf! Florian Kohfeldt has made four changes to his starting lineup. Fraser Hornby (returning from illness) and Isac Lidberg (recovering from a thigh injury) return to the starting eleven, replacing Luca Marseiler and Merveille Papela. Niklas Schmidt starts in place of Hiroki Akiyama, and Fabian Holland replaces Fabian Nürnberger, who is unavailable due to a minor thigh injury.