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
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.