New week, new events: The SV Darmstadt 98 fan team is about to play its first game in the Kreisliga B (District League B). Fabian Holland spoke in a media roundtable about his comeback in the last match against VfL Bochum and also looked ahead to the upcoming clash with 1. FC Nürnberg (August 8th at 6:30pm). You can find out all this and more in our weekly column "Lilien Across the Board."
After a forced break of several months, Fabian Holland made his first appearance in the season opener against VfL Bochum – a moment the Lilien captain clearly enjoyed. „That felt really good. The win against Bochum was a very successful start for me and even more importantly for the team,“ said the 35-year-old, who has started the new season full of energy. „I feel physically good and am confident that I can perform to my potential again on the pitch. I just wanted to go in against Bochum and play my game, even though it had been several months since my last appearance.“
The atmosphere in the stadium, in particular, made this day unforgettable for Holland: „Being on the pitch was obviously something special, especially with the atmosphere in the stadium. After the game, the joy of my comeback shone through a bit. I was delighted that the fans celebrated my comeback with such joy. I will certainly never forget this day.“
A big task awaits us on Friday against Nürnberg and we will approach it with a plan again, hoping that it will work out – like against Bochum.
Holland is looking forward to the upcoming away game against 1. FC Nürnberg with determination. „In the second division, almost every game is 50/50, so we have to keep at it against Nürnberg,“ emphasises the veteran, who believes his team is well prepared. „A big task awaits us on Friday, and we’ll approach it with a plan again, hoping it will work out – like against Bochum.“
Holland particularly emphasises the Lilies‘ team spirit: „As a team, we’re a very good bunch who are ready to give it our all on the pitch. The team also believes in the coach’s plan.“ The 35-year-old also has his own role firmly in mind: „I want to show that I can continue to be an important part of the team and get my playing time.“ However, Holland makes it clear: „Of course, the main focus is on us as a team winning week after week, so I’ll definitely put my personal goals aside.“ Regarding head coach Florian Kohfeldt, he adds: „He’s a coach who always lets the best players play. So it’s up to me that I get my playing time.“
The SV Darmstadt 98 fan base faces a new sporting challenge in the 2025/26 season. After a strong preseason, in which the „Zwote Zwote“ secured the championship title in the Kreisliga C with 62 points on the final matchday, they now move up a league to the Kreisliga B.
The dress rehearsals for the new season turned out to be mixed: On Sunday (July 27th), the Lilies celebrated a decisive 10-1 away victory against Alsbach’s third team. A week later, the team lost 2-5 in their final friendly against SV Eintracht Zwingenberg.
And the league opener is already in the starting blocks: On Sunday (August 10, 1pm), the „Zwote Zwote“ will host SV St. Stephan Griesheim II for the first matchday of the new season.
The upcoming games of the fan team at a glance:
| Date | Kick Off | Match | Competition | Result |
| Sunday, 10.08.2025 | 1pm | SV St. Stephan Griesheim II – SV 98 | Kreisliga B | |
| Friday, 15.08.2025 | 7.30pm | SV 98 – FSV Schneppenhausen | Kreisliga B | |
| Sunday, 17.08.2025 | 1pm | Darmstädter TSG II – SV 98 | Kreisliga B |
The SV Darmstadt 98 U19 team kicked off the new DFB-Pokal season with a thrilling 3-3 draw against TSG Hoffenheim. In their first competitive match of the season on Saturday (August 2nd), the young Lilies delivered a committed performance. They rewarded themselves with an early 1-0 lead in the second minute. However, Hoffenheim hit back in the 31st minute, equalising at 1-1. The Lilies, however, held on and made it 2-1 in the 38th minute – and the visitors‘ response wasn’t long in coming: TSG levelled in the 42nd minute, just before halftime.
After the break, Hoffenheim completely turned the game around, taking a 3-2 lead in the 51st minute. However, SV 98 showed their courage and rewarded themselves with an equaliser in the 60th minute, making the final score 3-3. The next challenge awaits next Sunday (August 10th, 1pm): The Lilies will host 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
A few weeks later, the Lilies‘ U17 team will also return to league action – but the team is currently still in the midst of preseason training. Since the DFB Youth League for B-Juniors doesn’t begin play until the end of August, there are still numerous training sessions and tests to be done before then. The next one will take place on Wednesday (August 6th, 4pm) against the SV Elversberg B-Juniors.
This week, SV Darmstadt 98 has two reasons for congratulations: Assistant coach Darius Scholtysik and goalkeeping coach Alexander Kynaß are celebrating their birthdays. „Scholty“ turned 59 on Monday (August 4th), and Alexander Kynaß will follow on Friday (August 8th) with his 37th birthday.
Darius Scholtysik was born in Zabrze, Poland, where he also began his football career. His first stop in Germany was Bayer Leverkusen’s U19 team. After several years as a professional, including at Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nürnberg, he ended his playing career in 2001 at Eintracht Braunschweig – the very same team where he subsequently began his coaching career. After stints at MSV Duisburg, FC Zurich, and TSG Hoffenheim, he finally found his way to the Böllenfalltor in 2024.
Goalkeeping coach Alexander Kynaß gained his first coaching experience at TeBe Berlin and celebrates his 37th birthday on Friday (August 8th). In 2023, his paths crossed with head coach Florian Kohfeldt when they both worked together for KAS Eupen in Belgium. Following Kohfeldt’s move to the Lilies in November 2024, Kynaß also joined the team and has been responsible for goalkeeping training at SV 98 ever since.
SV Darmstadt 98 wishes both coaches a happy birthday, good health, and continued success with the Lilies!
Following the birthday greetings Hans Kessler received last week, the honorary president of SV Darmstadt 98 wanted to personally address all fans once again:
Hello dear fans and friends of our SV Darmstadt 98,
I’ve received so many birthday wishes again this year. These are very emotional moments for me, and I’m filled with great pride to experience such great appreciation from you.
A heartfelt thank you to all of you for this.
I already received the gift from the team, coach, and coaching staff on Saturday. It couldn’t have been better. It makes me really want more.
Best regards to you all,
Yours, Hans Kessler
Darmstadt 98 lost to Hannover 96 while playing with ten men and must continue to wait for their first win of this second division season. Read our analysis to find out what positives remain and why Darmstadt 98 had factored in setbacks on their chosen path.
Around the time of the home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), the Jonathan Heimes Square was officially inaugurated. Before kickoff, club president Markus Pfitzner and Martin Heimes, father of Jonathan Heimes, who died of cancer about ten years ago, gave speeches highlighting "Johnny's" importance and his commitment to people with cancer.
The Lilien Team Marathon is not just about athletic performance and the shared experience around the Böllenfalltor stadium – but also about making a difference together.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team drew 2-2 (0-1) against SV Unter-Flockenbach. After a heated home game, the young Lilies had to settle for a frustrating, but ultimately deserved, draw. In this extremely balanced league, Patrick Kurt's team continues to grow week by week, gaining valuable experience.
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.
