About the success in Köln, the upcoming duel with 1. FC Heidenheim (April 28th/7:30pm) and the staff: Torsten Lieberknecht answered questions about these and other topics at the press conference on Friday (April 26th). We have put together the most important statements from the head coach for you.
Player update: Missing are Fraser Hornby, Alexander Brunst, Braydon Manu and Fabian Holland, who underwent successful surgery on Wednesday. Klaus Gjasula was also out with a bruised pelvis and abdominal muscles and Clemens Riedel, who sprained his ankle during training and has a severely swollen foot. Aaron Seydel is questionable with adductor problems. Marvin Mehlem will not be in the squad, we are very cautious with him now that he has taken his first steps in training.
The victory in Köln was good for us. He was particularly good for the city of Darmstadt and our fans. We were longing to make her happy again. Anyone who was in Köln noticed that we saw a lot of happy faces there. We showed a lot of things in Köln that we had already shown earlier in the season. But it was important that we kept a clean sheet, conceded little and behaved well as a group. But there were also situations there that we could do better.
We now want to make it back-to-back wins and continue to give the feeling that when we say goodbye, we want to do it properly. Basically, our aim is always to end the match day with three points. Regardless of what the opponent is called. Of course you still think about the first leg and previous games against Heidenheim, some of which had a certain drama. This is also due to the fact that both teams play very man-oriented and this creates a certain style of play. I still look forward to every matchday. And I’m also looking forward to Sunday evening.
We are very realistic about the situation. But another Bundesliga game awaits. Probably one of the last Bundesliga games for us for now. And we want to win that. No matter how the other teams‘ games turn out. But a fixed descent would definitely affect me again. If I get promoted to the Bundesliga as a coach, I want to get the most out of it. And if this goal doesn’t work out, it’s a very disappointing moment. Even if many people assumed this from the start.
Heidenheim has really had a great season so far and we can only say a big congratulations to them. They have performed fantastically. They made many decisions well and were also able to keep the core of the promoted team. Great respect for the way they will manage to stay in the league. As a friend of Frank Schmidt, I am pleased from a collegial perspective.
Paul came to this club with great calm. We sit together very often and it is important that Paul brings in his ideas here. So far I can only speak highly of the way he is handling the matter. The exchange with him is always respectful, we often have a similar way of thinking, but there are also different opinions, which is also important. He has great expertise on many levels. My first impressions of him are almost bombastic. (laughs)
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.