For the second year in a row, the liability insurance fund and SV Darmstadt 98 have awarded four clubs with the volunteer award. The award ceremony, including the check presentation, took place before the Bundesliga game against TSG Hoffenheim in the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor. The joint volunteer award was created to strengthen and promote volunteer work.
The honour not only recognises exceptional club work and special commitment, but also underlines the high value of voluntary work in Darmstadt and the region. A winner was chosen by jury in each of three different categories: VfR Fehlheim 1929 e.V. won in the “Education & Knowledge Transfer” category, FC Ober-Abtsteinach e.V. won in the “Ecology & Sustainability” category and the referee in the “Fair Play” category. Sports Club Odenwald e. V. The “Cohesion & Participation” category was decided by an audience vote after a jury selection. Around 2,100 participants took part in the vote, in which the gymnastics and sports club Griesheim 1899 e.V. was able to prevail. All winning clubs receive prize money of 3,000 euros.
Roland Roider (Chairman of the Board, The Liability Insurance Fund VVaG): “As a mutual insurance association, we feel particularly obliged to promote voluntary commitment in our region. That’s why we launched the volunteer award together with SV Darmstadt 1898. We would like to once again express our appreciation for the voluntary work with prize money of 12,000 euros this year.”
Martin Kowalewski (Managing Director Marketing & Sales, SV 98): “It is impressive how many special projects the clubs in the region set up with voluntary work. The volunteer award, in conjunction with the liability fund, offers us an opportunity to express our appreciation for the many volunteers who do outstanding work. A big thank you goes to all the participating clubs who applied for the prize.”
Public decision with 1,020 votes: Gymnastics and Sports Club Griesheim 1899 e.V.
The gymnastics and sports club Griesheim 1899 e.V. offers the “Inclusive Swimming” project, which aims to give children with various physical and mental disabilities the joy of swimming and to improve their skills in the water. Qualified trainers adapt the swimming courses individually to the needs of the participants, promote an integrative environment and use various teaching methods. The project not only strengthens the physical abilities of the participants, but also promotes their self-confidence and sense of community. Another project is planned for late summer 2024 that will support the promotion of physical activity in preschool children through psychomotor exercises that are intended to promote the children’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. Playful activities and cooperative games also strengthen social interaction and group cohesion.
VfR Fehlheim 1929 e.V.
VfR Fehlheim has developed a holistic 360-degree support concept for young people that combines sporting excellence with academic support, career preparation and social commitment. Inspired by “Anpfiff ins Leben”, the concept aims to develop young people into self-confident and socially committed personalities. Since taking over the board two years ago, the club has experienced exceptional growth, with membership increasing by more than 300 percent in areas such as youth soccer, children’s gymnastics and children’s dance. However, high demand has led to capacity limits, with registration stops and waiting lists because the number of qualified trainers is insufficient. The VfR Fehlheim is considered a lighthouse project in the region and is aiming for an award in order to further expand the structures and enable more children to participate.
FC Ober-Abtsteinach e.V.
The „Waste Field“ project carried out an environmentally friendly, climate-neutral renovation of an artificial turf sports system, whereby 100 percent of the old material, including microplastics, was returned to the economic cycle, saving over 300 tons of CO2 equivalent and 135 tons of waste. When redesigning the FC Ober-Abtsteinach e.V. artificial turf field, bio-based materials such as rapeseed oil and ground olive kernels were used for the first time, meaning the field serves as a CO2 sink. The new system enables 100 percent recyclability after a service life of around 15 years. If applied nationwide, this innovative process could save an average of 377 tons of CO2 equivalent and around 160 tons of waste per football pitch. The project was supported by the Federal Republic of Germany and the state of Hesse in order to contribute to climate protection and waste reduction in sports facility construction.
Schiedsrichter-Sport-Verein Odenwald e. V.
The Referee-Sport-Verein Odenwald e.V., founded in 2015, focuses on recruiting and supporting young referees, and also offers support for more experienced colleagues in the face of increasing physical attacks on referees. The club is increasingly focusing on measures to promote camaraderie in order to compensate for negative experiences and maintain the joy of the activity. In addition to social events, the club places an important focus on improving its members‘ knowledge of the rules. Despite these efforts, the number of referees in the club has decreased significantly in recent years. Due to the shortage of referees, the remaining referees are often required to officiate several games per week.
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.