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
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
