A self-sacrificing battle of the lilies with a bitter end. In the last minute of injury time, SV Darmstadt 98 lost 1-0 at SV Werder Bremen. The Darmstadt protagonists were correspondingly disappointed about their elimination at the microphones. What do Marcel Schuhen, Kai Klefisch and sports director Paul Fernie say? How do the two head coaches classify the cup duel in the Weserstadion? We have summarised all their thoughts about the game for you.
“Congratulations to Werder and Ole on progressing. Overall, it was an outstanding game for us. It took us 10 to 15 minutes to get to grips with Werder’s speed of play. Then we neutralised their game until the 94th minute. We ourselves didn’t become as dangerous as we wanted. Nevertheless, we always had actions in which only a little bit was missing to play through. We concede the goal at the worst possible time. It hurts to be eliminated like this. For a long time we had a big question mark about who would get to the next round today. The competition has ended here for us, which is a real shame. But we can build on this performance.”
“Darmstadt defended very well. But we were prepared for their compact appearance and did a very good job defensively. We also had a sensible distribution of space up to the opponent’s penalty area, where Darmstadt defended well. They always had one foot in between. Overall, it was important that we stuck with it. The bottom line is that we are happy that we are in the next round. It’s certainly not undeserved. Because it was hard work.”
„It’s absolutely bitter and annoying. We put in a self-sacrificing performance and unfortunately we weren’t rewarded for it. You could tell on the field that we made the opponent think. We had big plans and brought in a lot of emotions. Of course we defended a lot and tried again and again to create pinpricks. We wanted to annoy the opponent and be disgusting again and again for 90 minutes – and in the end you get that it’s annoying. Especially since our last foul before the free kick didn’t feel like a foul. Overall, we take a lot of positives from Werder Bremen. We stood up to a Bundesliga team for over 90 minutes.“
„We approached the whole thing a bit more defensively today against a really good opponent. We didn’t allow much, blocked a lot of balls and defended really well. It’s very bitter that this game will be decided in the last action. Especially since I don’t believe that it was a foul before, of course, Isac goes a little to the outside and there are still players in the middle, but as we know, they can no longer use their hands to fend off a free shot from Isac. And if so if these little things aren’t on our side, it will be even more difficult than it already was. The goal we conceded is incredibly stupid, but unfortunately we were close today and I can only give the team a big compliment for their mentality and attitude. But we have seen again what we are capable of. We can definitely take away the fact that we believe in what the coach gave us because every player was ready to implement the plan today.
„It’s very bitter and a real shame. We would have deserved more. The boys did a great job and implemented the match plan brilliantly. We wanted to annoy the opponent, and we managed to do that. We also had one or two transition moments. The free kick before the goal was very questionable and the goal shortly before the end was even more bitter. But this game will make us stronger. That’s why I’m proud of the team entire coaching team.“
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.