On Saturday (August 16th), Christopher Street Day will take place in Darmstadt. Under the motto: "Never quiet again! I love how I want." SV Darmstadt 98 is calling on everyone who isn't accompanying SV 98 to Lübeck to show their support for a colorful and open Darmstadt! You also have the chance to win exclusive stadium tours with our new summer signings. You can find out all this and more in our weekly column "Lilien Across the Board."
Anyone who becomes a member of SV Darmstadt 98 by September 1st has the chance to win a very special prize. All Lilies who submit their membership application by the end of the deadline at midnight at www.wirlilien.de automatically go into the draw – no additional registration is necessary.
SV Darmstadt 98 is giving away exclusive stadium tours with our summer signings to all new members. These tours will be led by stadium guides from the Fan and Supporter Department. You can expect not only a look behind the scenes but also the opportunity to meet SV 98’s new players in person. The tours will take place by appointment in September or October and promise an unforgettable Lilien experience – close to the team and the stadium like never before.
Pride 2025 is just around the corner! On Saturday (August 16), the annual Christopher Street Day will take place in Darmstadt – under the motto „Never be still again! I love how I want.“ It’s an event of solidarity, support, and acceptance for the queer community. The day will kick off with a demonstration parade at noon, and the festival begins at Karolinenplatz at 2pm. A colourful supporting program awaits all guests.
SV Darmstadt 98 also calls on you to participate in Christopher Street Day in Darmstadt. We, the Lilies, stand for diversity and tolerance and are firmly committed to combating any form of discrimination.
Marco Richter started the new season with the Lilies in a good mood and full of anticipation. „The mood in the team is very good. We like to start the season with two wins; we’ve set ourselves some goals and have already achieved a lot. Of course, there are also areas where we can still improve,“ the 27-year-old explained in a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon (August 13th).
After the victories against Bochum and Nürnberg, the focus is now clearly on the upcoming DFB-Pokal match this weekend. „For us, only the win counts. It’s really exciting to play with this team. We definitely want to advance against Lübeck and then see what the next rounds bring,“ Richter said. However, he is aware of the pitfalls of the first round: „There are surprises in many games. But we know exactly what to expect. In Lübeck, a small, compact stadium and a nasty team from the Regionalliga await us. But we’re going there with our heads held high – thanks in part to our two recent wins.“
I had great conversations with everyone in charge here in Darmstadt and quickly realised I wanted to move. I'm very happy to be here.
Richter also reflected on his recent past. „The preseason in Mainz didn’t go as I had imagined. I had great discussions with everyone in charge here in Darmstadt and quickly realised that I wanted to move. I’m very happy to be here.“
He describes his career as having varied experiences. „In Augsburg, I was able to take my first steps as a professional, but the move to Hertha didn’t go as hoped. Things in Mainz weren’t as I had imagined either. The move to Darmstadt was clear to me because I absolutely want to play football. My goal isn’t to sit on the bench, but to attack all the way again, celebrate successes with the team, and hopefully score a lot of points.“ His jersey number also has special meaning for Richter: „The 23 was my first professional number in Augsburg, during a time when I was going through a good phase. That’s why it’s special to me.“
On the first matchday of their inaugural season in the District League B, the fan team lost 5-1 away to St. Stephan Griesheim II. The start was bold, but the difference compared to the District League C was noticeable for the „second second team.“ The team equalised the early deficit after a corner, before St. Stephan consistently capitalised on their chances and pulled ahead 3-1 by halftime. In the second half, the visitors attempted to build further pressure, but conceded a 4-1 goal immediately after the restart. After that, St. Stephan dominated the game, allowing few offensive opportunities. The final goal came shortly before the final whistle, making the final score 5-1.
There remains one small disappointment for the fan team, however: last year’s season also began with a defeat. In the end, however, the „second second team“ crowned itself champion of the District League C thanks to a strong season. On Friday (15.08/7.30pm) there is a chance to make amends in the first home game of the season against FSV Schneppenhausen.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U19 team has had a successful start to the new season of the DFB-Nachwuchsliga (German Youth League). After a 3-3 draw in the opening match, the Lilies‘ B-Juniors celebrated a 5-3 away win at 1. FC Kaiserslautern in their second match, securing second place in their group. The match began with Darmstadt taking an early lead in the 15th minute. However, the hosts turned the game around, scoring two goals before halftime and adding another shortly after the break. The Lilies were undeterred, scoring three goals within just 16 minutes to make it 4-3. SV 98 finally secured the final score of 5-3 in stoppage time.
Like the first team, the U19 team now has a week off from regular league play. But it won’t be football-free: On Saturday (August 16th at 12pm), coach Patrick Kurt’s team will face the U19s of Berliner AK in the DFB Cup. Meanwhile, the U17s still have a few friendlies to play before the league gets serious again. The last friendly match should have been quite instructive: On Saturday (August 9th), the B-Juniors lost 7-2 to VfL Bochum.
Have you always dreamed of working behind the scenes at SV Darmstadt 98? And getting involved in this exciting field? Now is the perfect opportunity to make that dream come true. The Lilies are currently looking for a dedicated physiotherapist (m/f/d) in the SV Darmstadt 98 youth performance centre and the TheReSport Darmstadt rehabilitation center. You can apply at here.
Our former team doctor has reason to celebrate: Today, Wednesday (August 13th), Dr. Ingo Schwinnen celebrates his 57th birthday. He has been an integral part of the Lilien family for well over a decade. We warmly congratulate you on your special day and thank you for your dedicated work.
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.
