Despite a valiant effort and several chances, SV Darmstadt 98 lost 2-0 to SC Paderborn. The Lilies still finish the season in fifth place. However, the main focus of the match for Darmstadt was the farewell to club legend Fabian Holland. What did the coaches and players have to say about this afternoon's game? We've compiled their reactions.
“We had two goals today: We wanted to give our club legend Fabain Holland the appropriate setting, a fitting farewell. We more than succeeded. I saw a team that gave their all. We played the way Fabi played his entire career. We left everything we had on the pitch. For me, Fabi is a Darmstadt legend, an absolute role model, and a true team player, not just when things are going well for him. I’m incredibly happy for him that, despite his injury in Karlsruhe, he was still able to end this remarkable career of 319 competitive appearances for one club in such a way. Hats off to Fabi.
But we also desperately wanted to win this game. We had to replace an incredible number of players. What I take away from the last third of the season is that we have an incredibly strong team, always ready to fight against adversity. We will learn from the fact that we didn’t achieve better results in the final third of the season this year. But overall, I have to say: huge respect to the team and the staff.” Anyone who has followed us throughout the season knows the passion and the footballing experiences we’ve had. This doesn’t blind us to the fact that some things need improvement, but it was a fantastic season for the Lilies. Many thanks to everyone who was a part of it.
„Congratulations to Darmstadt on a great season. The game was a tough nut to crack, and the early goal certainly helped. Especially in games like this, where you have to win, your mental game is crucial. And an early goal like that can be liberating. Then we had to weather a few difficult moments. In the end, luck was on our side, and it doesn’t really matter how we won, because we won. In these situations, it’s often not about how we won, but about the points. It definitely wasn’t easy here. Despite all the absences, you could see the quality Darmstadt possesses, because they played a really good game.“
…about the game
„We really wanted to win this game for Fabi, but we didn’t manage it. I was very pleased with the team today, though, but it’s another game that’s symptomatic of the last nine matches. We had enough chances to win and conceded very little at the back. We did everything we could to win today, the lads gave it their all, but unfortunately, it just didn’t go our way.“
…about the season
„Up until March, we did everything a team needs to do to compete at the top. The last nine games aren’t up to our standards. We don’t want to sugarcoat anything, because overall it was a successful season, but we just couldn’t bring our best performance to the pitch after March. Now we’re analysing why things went the way they did, but we won’t carry this hangover into preseason training. We’ll put it behind us, learn from it, and look ahead. My final conclusion is: It was a great season, but there was more potential.“
„I’ve noticed the excitement building over the past few days. I’ve already been able to enjoy it a little, but today was a lot to take in. I think it will only really sink in over the next few days what’s happened here. Standing up there with the fans, looking into the eyes of family and friends, is incredibly emotional. Seeing everything that’s been done for me is a huge expression of appreciation. It definitely brings tears to my eyes. Even though we would have loved to win, it was a wonderful day for me. It makes you realise that twelve years is an enormous amount of time, and I’ve also played a part in what we’ve built here. I feel that, and I’m very grateful for it.
I’ll definitely be coming back here more often. You’ll certainly see me in the South Stand sometime. This year has shown that we can be a solid team in the league and that we can always challenge for promotion. The club is very stable and is doing excellent work.“
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.