The Bundesliga season officially ended on May 18th, and SV 98's relegation was finalised on April 28th. It was a season that had to be processed and discussed in many areas. We spoke to Rüdiger Fritsch about many topics that played a part in a season that all lilies would have imagined differently.
Rüdiger Fritsch: „We have all often emphasised in the past few days that the season was messed up for various reasons. And there were reasons for that. After the relegation was confirmed, we promised that we would deal with the issues and come to terms with the season. We have now done that and we have achieved results. Basically, there were both general and sporting reasons that contributed to this season.“
In retrospect, we can say clearly: This would no longer happen in this form and at such a time. We have to say this self-critically and admit: That was a mistake. The automatism created between this trip and the subsequent defeat in Fürth is, in our opinion, untenable in this form, but with this trip we opened the window for these opinions and theses and thereby brought unrest into the club. In addition, it is generally questionable whether such a trip before the end of the season corresponds to the basic principles of fairness. At this point the message is: Mallorca will no longer take place here in this form.
I have to take this issue on my own. This sentence, uttered in the exuberance of emotions and euphoria after the promotion, was not right from me. At this point I was too euphoric. Of course, that didn’t mean that we were taking the difference between first and second place in TV revenue lightly. But my sentence could definitely be misunderstood in this direction. I have to take responsibility for that. What I wanted to say: „After the Fürth game, let’s not be sad about missing out on the second division championship, but let’s be happy about having achieved something really big.“ A big apology to everyone who took it that way, however one could understand it.
Ticket prices are not determined on the last day of the game, but rather this is a process that begins weeks before the end of the season. Based on this timing alone, I can assure you that the ticket prices were in no way increased due to the missed second division championship. Basically, ticket prices are an important part of our financing concept and an important source of revenue. Especially because we finance ourselves through our own resources and our own operational business. However, a lot went wrong in communication back then. We then explained everything again afterwards and apologised for the way we communicated. I think we have found a good solution to this issue with a view to the new season.
It has become clear that the saying “The truth is on the pitch” is true. Because a club lives from what the results are. And these were definitely not good for us. It is important that we learn from the past. And we have already done that. We looked at the topics and worked through them. Starting with the squad composition, the quality of the players and the composition. We discussed whether we should have based the team’s structure more heavily on players with Bundesliga experience; squad size was also an issue again. The coaching team worked on its plans and tactical orientations, everything was worked on with an open mind. We also failed to develop a David versus Goliath attitude. We also talked about the injury rate and also about processes in the medical field. Nobody was and is of the opinion that it was all just bad luck and that things will work themselves out again in the second division. We have an absolutely challenging season ahead of us, which we are very much looking forward to, but for which we also have to prepare to the highest degree professionally.
Despite all the topics we had to discuss, Darmstadt 98 had the big advantage that nothing was broken. It was a very difficult season with a lot of discussions that we had to face. But we don’t have a pile of rubble here and we don’t have to do a complete rebuild because nothing has collapsed. We are stable on all issues and the game in Dortmund showed how realistically our fans are dealing with the situation. Relegation was always imaginable for everyone, but the ‚how‘ was the decisive factor. Despite the ‚how‘, we remained a unit that continues to pull together. This is the foundation of our club. We cannot buy success, we can only achieve it through solidarity.
The majority of people understood what we had already built with Torsten and what we want to continue to build. This is an important aspect when it comes to the topics of cohesion, continuity and stability. These football reflexes are far too easy for me to immediately dismiss the coach if they fail. Within two years we developed a comprehensive sporting concept with Torsten that extends to the NLZ. There are a lot of issues related to this coaching team that we would all upset with a dismissal. The inner cogs between the coaching team, sports management and team must mesh. And that is absolutely the case with us. We deliberately gave the coaching team contracts until 2027 because we want to be on the road for the long term.
There are many great aspects to look forward to. In Paul Fernie we have a sports director who has brought a lot of fresh air here and who has already developed a very good working relationship with the head coach. All the people are absolutely motivated and willing to work hard. Our “Miracle of Bielefeld” was just 10 years ago, the awakening of Darmstadt 98 in professional football. And in these past 10 years we have experienced so many beautiful things that we don’t want to sweep the experience of this season under the carpet, but we shouldn’t and shouldn’t carry this season around with us forever. Now we are moving forward and want to play a good role in the second division.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
In an intense 90 minutes between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Lilies fought back to secure three points shortly before the final whistle. The early lead taken by the team from southern Hesse was quickly erased by the Rhinelanders. The match became increasingly wild and physical. The second half remained evenly contested, but in the end, SV 98 once again demonstrated their fighting spirit: Matej Maglica's late header sealed the three points. What do the players and the two head coaches have to say about this thrilling encounter? We've compiled all the post-match reactions.
SV Darmstadt 98 remain a force to be reckoned with at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! The Lilies defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 (1-1) on matchday 23. It's their sixth consecutive home win, bringing their total to 45 points. Hornby opened the scoring for the home side after just seven minutes, before Maglica (88th minute) netted the decisive goal in the second half.