11.12.2025 / English
„Individual numbers are secondary“ | Cozy Advent afternoon with the Silver Lilies
Last Tuesday (December 9th), the Silver Lilies met to get into the Christmas spirit. Luca Marseiler also spoke about his position and his goals. You can read these and other stories in our weekly column „Lilies Across the Board“.
+++ A contemplative Advent afternoon with a diverse program for the Silver Lilies +++
This year’s Advent afternoon offered the Silver Lilies a festive program. In addition to coffee, cake, and various drinks, several activities contributed to a pleasant atmosphere.
A highlight was the interview between Alex Lehne, the SV 98 fan liaison, and Paul Fernie, the SV Darmstadt 98 sporting director. Christmas stories and poems were also recited, creating a festive mood. Furthermore, during the event, wool clothing for the homeless was presented to Petra Bier of „Aus der Not Darmstadt e.V.“
+++ Media briefing by Marseiler +++
Luca Marseiler has established himself as a particularly versatile player for SV 98 this season. His adaptability to different roles is a key strength. „Of course, it’s different in defense when you play, for example, as a left-back, but basically, not much changes when you’re deployed in attack. So, for me, it was easy to adapt,“ says the 28-year-old.
He has also set personal goals, but these are secondary to the team’s success. „I want to get points, but as long as we’re winning, individual stats are secondary. Even if I play the penultimate pass and my name isn’t on the scoreboard, that’s almost as important as the goal itself,“ Marseiler emphasises. He has become an indispensable part of Darmstadt’s game. Marseiler himself admits, however, that he still has a bit of bad luck in front of goal. Nevertheless, the versatile midfielder is optimistic about his statistics: „I think I just need one goal to break through.“
+++ In memory of Oliver Steinmann+++
SV Darmstadt 98 mourns the loss of Oliver Steinmann, who only recently became a club member but was always a true 98er at heart. Despite his short official membership, he was one of our oldest members. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and all his loved ones.
+++ U21 team on winter break +++
The U21 team is heading into the winter break after an intense first half of the season. With 23 points, the team will spend the winter in 13th place in the table.
Training and matches will resume in the new year. The team will kick off their preparations for the remainder of the season with a friendly match on February 11th 2026.
+++ Fan team joins the winter break +++
Not only is SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team heading into the winter break, but the club’s second team has also played its last match. They will spend the winter in a solid tenth place in the Kreisliga B with 18 points. The second half of the season for the blue-and-whites kicks off on March 8, 2026, against SKG Gräfenhausen.
+++ Matchday 1 in the third showdown for the eLilien +++
This coming Thursday (December 11th), the Darmstadt e-Lilies kick off the first matchday of the third showdown. A special opponent awaits them right from the start: at 6pm, the Darmstadt e-footballers will face SC Freiburg – the same club they last encountered in the DFB Cup round of 16.
The action continues at 7pm with a match against 1. FC Köln, before the Lilies conclude the evening at 8:15pm with their final match against FC Augsburg. Darmstadt are currently in a good position in the Virtual Bundesliga standings: with 22 points, they occupy a strong 12th place and aim to further solidify their position on Thursday.
Happy Birthday, Hiro!
Dear Hiro,
SV Darmstadt 98 wishes you all the best on your special day!
Hiro celebrated his 25th birthday on December 9th 2025 – we congratulate you warmly and wish you health, success, and much more enjoyment of the game in the coming year.
+++ Happy Birthday, Aytaç! +++
Dear Aytaç,
For your birthday tomorrow, we wish you all the best, good health, happiness, and continued success on and off the pitch.
With your dedication, passion, and leadership, you have left a lasting mark on SV Darmstadt 98. Enjoy your special day on Thursday (December 11th)!
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
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.
Disappointment & pride
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.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
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.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
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.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
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.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
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.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
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.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
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".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
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.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
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.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
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.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
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.