In the run-up to the home game against Eintracht Braunschweig (September 14th/1pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered questions from the journalists present on Thursday (September 12th). How did the first week as head coach of the Lilies go? How great is the anticipation for its premiere at the Bölle? And how does he view the upcoming opponent? We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: Paul Will, Matthias Bader and Fabian Holland are missing with cruciate ligament injuries, and Oscar Vilhelmsson is still out with adductor problems.
Of course you don’t want someone seriously injured in the first week. This is tragic, especially for the players. Otherwise, my impression is entirely positive, especially of the team. We had three very intensive sessions. By that I don’t mean that we just walked. We tried to bring a lot of tactical things and game principles into the team. I am also very satisfied with the learning progress. There was a small moment on Tuesday afternoon when we realised that we shouldn’t give any more input because otherwise we might overwhelm the team. But it was important for us to find this point.
The week in the coaching team was also very good. They were intense and long days, we already know where the light switches are (laughs). The support from the staff is great and I also like how they dealt with the injuries because everyone stayed calm and solution-oriented and didn’t panic. We will bring a competitive team onto the pitch on Saturday.
The final talks are scheduled today, then I spoke to all the players. Except for the injured. I received a consistently positive impression from the discussions. It was important to me to get an idea of the team in these individual discussions. Team structure, team chemistry and belief in yourself are there. And then I tried to unite the team behind a little idea of how we would like to play football together. We were not able to shed light on every facet. The main topics were how we could find certain spaces in depth as quickly as possible offensively and how we would behave against the ball in the basic order.
I’ve already tried to distribute roles within the team. For a certain structure. It’s not just about leadership roles. Every player is important. That may be a platitude, but it is true. Each player received an assessment from me as to where I currently see him in this team. It’s also about players who should form an axis. It’s about role players who will have their moments and about players who should develop into a different role over the course of the season. I also tried to convey this in the individual discussions.
Of course, both players would most likely have been in the starting line-up. But as a coach you have to be able to deal with it when there are injuries. We have ideas on how we can deal with this. We have a high number of players, especially in central midfield. There are different options on the right track, but my first thought is: complete trust in Sergio Lopez.
Braunschweig has a lot of speed in the last line paired with new signing Polter, who brings great physicality. They are very good at switching offensively and also have a playful approach, but are not above playing the ball deep under pressure. They are also very strong at offensive set pieces. During the start-up behavior they change a little in height, so there is no completely clear picture. A very experienced team awaits us.
I’m really looking forward to Saturday. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere, the tingling sensation and the feeling of what we’re doing this for. I have never found this feeling anywhere else in my life. Standing in the tunnel, going out and then facing the demands that await you in a game like this. And I’m looking forward to seeing the fans in the stadium for the first time.
Basically, I’m happy when something is at stake. If you’re afraid of competition, then you’re in the wrong place in professional football. But we’re still very early in the season, so I don’t want to talk about a relegation duel. It is of course an important game for both teams, who want to correct their previous start a little. But I don’t want to hang the game too high for the course of the entire season. But it is an important indication of what we have worked on this week.
The second consecutive away game, and the last of the season, is upon us. Once again on a Sunday (May 10th, 1:30pm), Darmstadt will be playing away – this time against SC Preußen Münster. Everything you need to know for your final away trip of the season to the LVM-Preußenstadion, about three and a half hours away, can be found here in the usual fan information section.
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.