From the football pitch to social institutions in Darmstadt and the surrounding area. The professionals of SV Darmstadt 98 created some very special moments for young and old alike with their visits during the pre-Christmas season. We also report on two topics from the Lilies‘ youth academy and offer a few tips if you’re still looking for the perfect blue-and-white Christmas gifts. You can read these and other news items in our weekly column „Lilies Across the Board.“
In the days leading up to Christmas, the professionals of SV Darmstadt 98 left their football routine behind and visited various social institutions in and around Darmstadt. The focus wasn’t on sport, but on community. Whether at the Nieder-Ramstadt Diakonie, the Z 14 residential and overnight care home, the „DA-HEIM“ therapeutic group home, the Bärenfamilie (Bear Family) children’s home, or the Darmstadt Children’s Hospital: everywhere the Lilies players took time for meaningful encounters. There was laughter, conversation, games, baking, and, of course, posing for photos and autographs. The joy was especially great over small tokens of appreciation: tickets to the Merck Christmas carol concert, as well as gifts and fan merchandise, brought smiles to the faces of young and old alike. The visits made it clear that, especially during Advent, it is often the small gestures that make a big difference – and that true connection extends far beyond football.
Christmas is just around the corner and you’re still looking for the perfect gift? No problem – we have the best gift ideas for you! Whether for family or friends: with our suggestions, you’re guaranteed to make the right choice. Our gift ideas are not only practical, but also show genuine affection and support. Perfect for anyone looking for something special or wanting to bring a touch of blue and white joy to their loved ones.
The Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor in Darmstadt will once again be filled with festive cheer during Advent: On December 22, 2025, the Lilies (SV Darmstadt 98) invite everyone to the grand Darmstadt Christmas Caroling event presented by Merck. Doors open at 4:30pm, and the atmospheric stage program begins at 6:00pm. The event promises a musical and reflective evening for the whole family. Christian Carra from „Strandakustik“ will guide the audience through the evening with a Christmas story. The live band „The Silverballs“ will provide the musical entertainment, the gospel choir „goGospel“ from Traisa will bring a festive atmosphere to the stadium with their songs, and Woody Feldmann will return as a special guest.
Good news from the Darmstadt 98 youth academy. The collaboration with the academy’s partner schools is progressing. For the first time, the Ministry of Education is actively involved in the structure to further strengthen Darmstadt’s role as a hub for school and competitive sports. Björn Kopper, head of the SV Darmstadt 98 youth academy, explained this in an interview with sv98.de. While the Georg-Büchner-School has primarily served as the central partner school in recent years, the concept is now being expanded to include other schools.
The process is still under development and naturally requires time. The youth academy hopes for significant improvements, particularly regarding the scheduling, according to Kopper. The goal is to enable more players to participate in morning training sessions in the future, thereby creating a more professional and performance-oriented environment.
Twice a season – once in the first half and once in the second – a large training event for coaches from Darmstadt and the surrounding region takes place, organised by the Lilies‘ youth academy. Participants now even travel from more distant clubs, so the format reaches around one hundred coaches per session and enjoys great popularity. Another training course will be held next spring in the familiar setting of the main stand at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
In addition, the youth academy relies on smaller, decentralised measures: Training courses on various training-related topics, such as athleticism and age-appropriate workload management, are offered at partner clubs. Furthermore, interested coaches have the opportunity to observe training sessions at the youth academy at any time. Depending on availability, insights into the work of different age groups can be provided. Since the number of requests is high and the workload varies depending on the season, not every request can be fulfilled immediately – nevertheless, the youth academy strives to make this access possible for as many coaches as possible.
In the Virtual Bundesliga, SV Darmstadt 98 faced the eFootball teams from Bielefeld and Paderborn on Tuesday evening (December 16th). Despite great effort and some good plays, it unfortunately wasn’t enough for a win. The match against Arminia Bielefeld ended in a 6-10 defeat on aggregate. Against Paderborn, the eLilies again showed their fighting spirit on the virtual pitch, but couldn’t find the rewards. In the end, small details decided the outcome of the match, resulting in a narrow 5-6 loss for SV Darmstadt 98. After these two games, SV Darmstadt 98 currently sits in 20th place in the overall standings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
