One round further. The Lilies cleared the cup hurdle and moved into the second round of the DFB Cup with a 3-1 win against Teutonia Ottensen. A wonderful goal from Kai Klefisch initiated the success at the Millertor before Fabian Nürnberger was able to increase the score with a penalty. Even though the regional league team came close at times, the Darmstadt team finally brought home the victory safely thanks to Oscar Vilhelmsson's goal. Accordingly, the Darmstadt protagonists were happy about the positive result at the microphones after the final whistle. We have summarised all the voices about the game for you.
“The height of the fall against a regional league team is very high. As a higher-class club, you have to win the game – especially us after our start. Overall, I’m super happy that we won this game and progressed. It’s good for the team to have won a competitive game. A lot of things were okay in the first half, but we fought well in the second half. But if you let your opponent breathe, it becomes difficult. And with a mistake in the second half we brought Teutonia back into this cup game. We lacked security there. Teutonia Ottensen also made a very courageous appearance. Congratulations to the Teutons for this achievement.”
“At the beginning of the game we tried not to allow much. Because you just saw the power and athleticism of the opponent. My team did really well, even if we couldn’t defend everything. So we got through the first phase well, but then conceded the two goals with a long-range shot and the penalty. The Darmstadt counter-pressing was of course brutal. Nevertheless, I am extremely proud of my team’s performance – especially because of the second half.”
“We are very happy that we won and progressed. In the cup, the main goal was to advance. And we fulfilled that. We showed a good first half and deservedly took a 2-0 lead, which was important against such an opponent. We could perhaps have made it 3-0 or even 4-0 earlier, but then we got into a short, small whirlwind after the break. We have to act more calmly. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a clean sheet win at the back. The goal conceded was of course a mistake on our part because we had to clear the ball long. So it ended up being a cup fight and we are happy that we won it. Overall, we played well and created good chances. I hope we can take this momentum with us now.”
“It was a deserved win. The most important thing is that we are one round ahead. It was also important to have a positive experience that we can hopefully take with us into the next few weeks. That was the positive moment we wanted today. Maybe we relaxed a bit after the 2-0 win and let Teutonia get back into the game a little. But we stuck to ourselves and carried on. It was then important to restore the old gap with the 3-1 win and thus stop Teutonia’s upswing.”
… about his long-range goal:
“Some people say the ball was sliced a bit… (laughs) I didn’t see anyone in front of me and thought I’d just hit the ball with confidence. It was a disgusting trajectory for the goalkeeper. I’m glad I was able to get the first goal today.”
The second consecutive away game, and the last of the season, is upon us. Once again on a Sunday (May 10th, 1:30pm), Darmstadt will be playing away – this time against SC Preußen Münster. Everything you need to know for your final away trip of the season to the LVM-Preußenstadion, about three and a half hours away, can be found here in the usual fan information section.
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.