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.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.