Foto: SV 98 07.02.2026 / English
Fifth consecutive home win!
A spectacular match on Saturday evening! Darmstadt swept aside 1. FC Kaiserslautern 4-0 (3-0) and collected more points at the Bölle stadium. Hornby (6th minute), Lakenmacher (29th minute), and Klefisch laid the foundation for the victory in the first half, and even after the break, the lead was never seriously threatened. Marseiler added the final touch late in stoppage time (90+2). With this win, Darmstadt 98 have already surpassed the 40-point mark on matchday 21 and moved to the top of the 2. Bundesliga table.
The opening minutes of the home game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern clearly belonged to Darmstadt. Just five minutes in, Fabian Nürnberger played a through ball into the penalty area, Luca Marseiler outpaced his marker and could only be stopped by a foul – penalty for the home side. Fraser Hornby sent the keeper the wrong way and confidently converted to make it 1-0 on 6 minutes. Two minutes later, the Scot almost made it 2-0, but his bouncing shot was tipped over the bar.
The visitors took considerably longer to find their rhythm. After the opening quarter of an hour, Kaiserslautern repeatedly ventured near the hosts‘ penalty area, but initially failed to seriously test Marcel Schuhen. The visitors from southern Hesse, on the other hand, were clinical and capitalised on their next opportunity to make it 2-0: Marco Richter passed the ball to Hornby, whose cross was converted by Fynn Lakenmacher in the middle with 29 minutes on the clock.
With a two-goal lead, the visitors from southern Hesse then controlled the game and allowed the visitors from the Palatinate region hardly any further dangerous attacks. Following a set piece, the Lilies extended their lead even further: Richter delivered a corner into the box, where Kai Klefisch stooped to head the ball precisely into the corner on the stroke of half time.
Four minutes into the second half, Darmstadt put themselves under pressure with a misplaced pass in their own penalty area, but the visitors failed to capitalise on the opportunity. At the other end, Hornby had a chance to make it 4-0: after Marseiler had flicked the ball on with his heel, the striker initially sent his defender sliding past him, but his shot was saved by Krahl in the visitors‘ goal after 52 minutes.
When Darmstadt threatened, it was almost always in front of the visitors‘ goal. Two attempts on the hour mark, firstly saw Lakenmacher narrowly missing out on scoring his second goal after a cross from Sergio Lopez, then Hiroki Akiyama’s shot was just blocked for a corner.
Even in the final stages, Darmstadt remained composed. They controlled the game, conceded very little defensively, and were always dangerous with their own attacks. Only shortly before the final whistle did Kaiserslautern come close to scoring, but the Darmstadt defence ultimately cleared all their shots. In stoppage time, Niklas Schmidt played a long ball forward and Marseiler was alert enough to get to the ball first and poke it beyond Krahl to make it 4-0.
Pictures from the Home Win
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Disappointment & pride
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.