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
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.