18.06.2024 / English
Karol Niemczycki in Portrait
The fourth newcomer for the 2024/25 season is goalkeeper Karol Niemczycki. The 24-year-old already has a lot of international experience, in addition to the Polish first division, Karol has already played in the Netherlands and with Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2nd Bundesliga. We took a closer look at our new keeper and would like to introduce you to Karol.
Good communication is part of the basic repertoire for every modern goalkeeper, but being able to make announcements in three languages is something special. The new SVD keeper can claim exactly that. He speaks both Polish and English, and has been able to speak German for over a year now. Karol Niemczycki was born in Krakow and played for several Polish clubs in his youth. In 2017, the goalkeeper moved abroad and moved to NAC Breda in the Netherlands. Here he took up the Dutch language; some of his instructions were given twice and in two languages. After two years, the 1.90 meter tall goalkeeper returned home. In an interview conducted by the Polish Football Association PZPN after winning the quarter-finals in the domestic cup competition of the 2021/22 season, he said: “I have already gotten used to changing languages on the field. That’s not a big problem for me.“ says Karol. He has now thrown the Dutch language overboard in order to be able to focus fully on the German language.
In the summer of 2023, he took another step into a new country; in Düsseldorf, the 24-year-old played in the 2nd Bundesliga and was also able to play between the posts in two DFB Cup games. Now comes the next step for the Pole. “I mainly need good people around me to feel good.” “It can be friends, family as well as teammates,” says Karol with regard to another change of scenery. “I had very good discussions with those responsible, I’m really looking forward to getting things started here,” says Niemczycki, looking forward to his time with the Lilies.
Karol has already been able to spend time with the Polish national team, and it is a special honour for him to train with players like Wojciech Szczęsny. But what type of player is Karol? „I’m more of a calm, level-headed type.“ I think if you look at the current top goalkeepers like Ter Stegen, Alisson or Thibaut Courtois, there is a change in the goalkeeping game. “Keepers like Oliver Kahn were more in the “crazy” category,” says the new SVD keeper about his goalkeeping game. The fans can be all the louder and crazier, Niemczycki is enthusiastic about the full stadiums in the 2nd Bundesliga: “Every stadium is full, the atmosphere is great, you don’t get that in every country.”
Welcome to Darmstadt, Karol!
Organisational information for the home match against St. Pauli
For the upcoming home match on Friday (October 23rd, 2026, at 6:30pm), SV 98 asks that you take note of the following information.
Facts and Figures: Key facts about the St. Pauli match
Floodlights at the Bölle! On Friday (Oct 23rd), SV Darmstadt 98 will host FC St. Pauli for the 9th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. In our "Facts & Figures" section, you can discover what the two teams have in common, where they differ, and which statistics are particularly intriguing ahead of this clash.
Lilien name Holland honorary captain
Fabian Holland was honoured for his contributions to the Lilien during the general meeting on October 20. The members approved a proposal from the executive board, naming the long-time captain an honorary team captain amid a round of enthusiastic applause.
Live updates for the 2026 general meeting
On Tuesday evening (Oct 20th), the annual general meeting of SV 98 will take place at the Böllenfalltorhalle in Darmstadt. We will guide you through the evening here, providing continuous updates via this live ticker for the 2026 general meeting.
2026 General Meeting: “Forging new paths that suit the ‘Lilies’”
SV Darmstadt 98 held its ordinary general meeting on Tuesday, October 20. Approximately 396 club members attended the meeting at the sports hall at Böllenfalltor. Anne Baumann, the board member responsible for finance, reported a profit after tax of €0.05 million for the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with total revenue reaching €48.08 million. As of the end of the reporting period, the club’s equity stood at €26.16 million.
General sale for Bochum
On Friday (Nov 27th), the Lilien will face VfL Bochum at 6:30pm. Advance ticket sales for members are already underway. Tickets are now available online and at the ticket shop at the stadium.
SVD vs. FC St. Pauli: Win ENTEGA fan seats
Once again this season, our premium partner ENTEGA is helping to create unique stadium experiences. For every home match, you have the chance to win two VIP fan seats in the main grandstand, which also include access to the ENTEGA VIP lounge. The application deadline for the match against St. Pauli is Thursday (October 22) at 12pm.
Youth Academy Training: When training should be more than just strenuous
Plenty of movement, a high tempo, and as few interruptions as possible—but does a strenuous training session automatically equate to an effective one? Nearly 90 coaches explored these questions during the fifth professional development seminar hosted by the youth academy of the Lilien (SV Darmstadt 98). Under the theme "Effective Training – Optimizing Intensity," the club’s youth academy invited coaches from the surrounding area to attend the session—free of charge—at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor. Participants gained practical insights into the targeted management of training loads and had the opportunity to exchange ideas with coaches from other clubs.
U21 suffers late defeat in Hanau
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV 98’s reserve side suffered a 1-0 (0–0) defeat away to SC 1960 Hanau. Despite creating good scoring opportunities of their own, it long appeared that the match would end in a goalless draw, until the hosts netted the decisive goal in stoppage time. Furthermore, the Young Lilies finished the match with fewer players on the pitch following two second-yellow (red) cards.
„A thoroughly deserved defeat“
We have gathered reactions following the heavy away defeat against KSC.
Heavy defeat against KSC
SV Darmstadt 98 suffered a clear 4-0 (2-0) defeat in Karlsruhe. As a result, the Lilies are still waiting for their first away point of the season.
Team News: Two Changes to the Team
The 8th matchday takes the Lilies to Karlsruhe. Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting eleven compared to the home win against Cottbus: Lance Duijvestijn and Hiroki Akiyama come in for Noah Weißhaupt and Nicolas Verkooijen. Weißhaupt (on the bench) and Verkooijen (absent from the squad) both missed parts of the week's training due to illness. Additionally, Yosuke Furukawa is sidelined with calf problems.