Foto: SV 98 30.07.2024 / English
Kai Klefisch in Portrait
The sixth newcomer for the 2024/25 season is midfielder Kai Klefisch. The 24-year-old is moving from league rivals SC Paderborn to southern Hesse and already has two years of experience in the 2nd Bundesliga. We have taken a closer look at our new midfielder and would like to introduce you to Kai.
“He was impulsive and committed very early on, and he also had a hard time losing,” says Klefisch’s U8 coach Jürgen Haagmaans with a smile in an interview with SC Paderborn. The now 24-year-old midfielder moved to the youth ranks of current German champions Bayer Leverkusen in 2006. The new Lilien signing had a winning instinct early on: „When something didn’t work out, I was very disappointed and cried,“ the midfielder can now look back with a laugh.
Klefisch was born in Leverkusen and grew up with his two brothers. Both also play football, the younger brother Ben was also recently active in Paderborn, playing for the second representative in the Regionalliga West. Kai’s move to southern Hesse also changes his living situation; the two most recently lived together in East Westphalia. Biggest brother Tim plays in the league at Ratingen. “At home it was always all about football,” the newcomer smiles as he looks back on his youth in his first club interview with SV 98.
The right-footed player comes to the Böllenfalltor with the experience of 44 second division games, plus almost a hundred games in the third division. Klefisch is at home in midfield and mostly played in the six-man position for East Westphalia. “You can describe me as a leg biter type,” he once said in an interview with the DFB in 2020, but the playful element is also not neglected for him. “I like having the ball, I love the build-up and I like to put my stamp on the game,” the midfield strategist described himself again in 2022. One statistic immediately stands out when you look at the new addition: Klefisch is extremely strong in running and runs around every game the twelve kilometers on average.
Lilien coach Torsten Lieberknecht is also looking forward to these qualities: “I like the way Kai acts for his team on the field. With him we are gaining a mentality player with a strong will to win. He is a professional who is strong in tackling and running and can also organise and read a game well.” The new number 17 is also happy to now be a Darmstadt native: “I am very happy to be a Lily from now on. I can hardly wait to get to know the team in the next few days and get started straight away.” Welcome to Darmstadt, Kai!
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Stolperstein tour commemorates Jewish club members
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.
New breadth for the future and commemorating the past
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.
Secure your tickets now: Home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on general sale.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
Well-deserved victory for the Young Lilies
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.
With the right mindset and positive development
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.
Krombacher Böllenfalltor-GOAL-Bonus
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.
„Didn’t lose our heads after falling behind early“
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:
Game turned around! A spirited home win!
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.
Team News: Two Changes to the Team
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).
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Cottbus Game
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.
Secure your tickets now: 1. FC Nürnberg vs. SV Elversberg – general sale!
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
Organisational information for the home match against Cottbus
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.