Foto: SV 98 02.07.2025 / English
Lilies at the Heinerfest | Reunion with Sulu & Sirigu
The Heinerfest is just around the corner, and of course, the SV Darmstadt 98 team will be there. The Lilien players will mingle with the crowd on Thursday evening (July 3rd), sign autographs, pose for selfies, and interact with the fans. At the same time, the team is preparing for its second friendly of the current preseason. Their opponent on Wednesday evening (July 2nd) is Viktoria Aschaffenburg. There, the team will face two familiar faces: Sandro Sirigu, once a Lilien player himself, is now the sporting director of the Bavarian regional league team. And on the sidelines will be Aytac Sulu, another former Lilien player who now serves as head coach. We report on these and other topics relating to SV Darmstadt 98 in our weekly column "Lilien Across the Board."
+++ Lilies at the Heinerfest +++
The 75th Heinerfest is approaching, and like every year, the SV Darmstadt 98 professional team will be visiting the city. The Lilies are looking forward to being part of Darmstadt’s long-standing festival on Thursday evening (from approximately 6:30pm) and bringing a great deal of fan engagement to the city centre.
In addition to Europe’s largest portable log flume and around 130 events, you’ll have the opportunity to experience and get to know the SV 98 professionals up close outside of the football field. Of course, there will also be time for autographs, selfies, and personal conversations with the players. The fan bus will also be stationed at Friedensplatz during the Heinferfest, where you can pick up numerous Lilies merchandise.
+++ Reunion with two ex-Lilies +++
In the second friendly of their summer preseason, SV Darmstadt 98 will face Viktoria Aschaffenburg on Wednesday evening (July 2nd). The regional league team finished last season in 15th place and secured their place in the relegation playoffs thanks to a nail-biting penalty shootout.
The encounter with Aschaffenburg also offers more than just a friendly, as it features a reunion of two former Lilies: Aytac Sulu has been Aschaffenburg’s head coach since this season, while Sandro Sirigu serves as sporting director. Kick-off is at 6:30pm at the KSV Reichelsheim sports grounds. Tickets are available at the box office.
+++ DFB Youth League: Preliminary round groups published +++
Following the successful launch of the new DFB Youth League for the U17 and U19 teams, the new league format is now entering its second season. Last season, both the U19 and U17 teams of SV Darmstadt 98 finished third in their respective B-League groups. By finishing third in their respective B-League groups, both teams have qualified for the DFB Youth League in the 2025/26 season. There, they will initially compete in a preliminary round group and fight for a place in the A-League main round. In this round, they ultimately aim to compete against the country’s best youth teams and compete for the German championship.
The Lilies‘ U19 team will begin in preliminary round Group F and will face opponents such as TSG Hoffenheim, 1. FC Heidenheim, and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. The U17 team also has an exciting program ahead of them: In their group they will compete with Eintracht Frankfurt, 1. FSV Mainz 05 and SV Wehen Wiesbaden, among others.
These are the Lilies’ preliminary round opponents in the 2025/26 DFB Youth League:
| U17 (Group F) | U19 (Group F) |
| 1. FC Kaiserslautern | 1. FC Heidenheim |
| 1. FC Saarbrücken | 1. FC Kaiserslautern |
| 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 1. FC Saarbrücken |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | Karlsruher SC |
| Karlsruher SC | SV Sandhausen |
| SV Elversberg | TSG Hoffenheim |
| SV Wehen Wiesbaden |
+++ Bölle beds cleaned and replanted +++
It’s not just the professionals who are intensively preparing for the new season: Preparations are also in full swing around the club. At Karl-Hess-Platz, the Lily gardeners have put in a lot of effort: With great dedication, the flowerbeds in front of the North-West entrance were carefully cleaned, weeded, and redesigned with fresh plants.
The effort paid off: The flowerbeds now shine in vibrant colours again, lending the stadium area a fresh glow. The new plants are intended not only to attract the attention of fans but also to pique the interest of insects. A wonderful sign that small efforts can have a big impact.
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 +++ Mic'd up with Kai Klefisch +++
Have you ever wondered what a football match sounds like from the players‘ perspective? We’ll show you in our new YouTube video, in which midfielder Kai Klefisch was wired up during the first pre-season friendly against SV Traisa. Exciting and intimate insights from the perspective of a professional footballer await you. Check it out!
+++ "Lily-Head" Julian Bock +++
Julian Bock, better known as „Deafman,“ is no longer a stranger among the Lilies fans. His first choreography for the SV Darmstadt 98 Ultras was created in 2011 for a derby against their rivals from Offenbach. A lot has happened since then. Today, Julian plays a key role in shaping the appearance of the Böllenfalltor stadium. His signature is unmistakable, for example in the striking „Böllenfalltor“ lettering on the back straight and „Darmstadt“ on the main stand.
Julian has been drawing since he was a child, and his sketchbook has always been his faithful companion. He first visited the stadium in 2008 when he attended a home game against Mannheim for the first time. Two years later, visiting the stadium became a regular habit. Since then, his passion for the Lilies has remained unbroken. In an interview with SV 98, he openly talks about his artistic career, his close connection to the club, and how his hearing loss has changed his creative perspective.
+++ Happy birthday, Uwe! +++
This week, two Lilies celebrate their birthdays: On Tuesday (July 1st), former SV Darmstadt 98 striker Uwe Hahn celebrated his 71st birthday. He wore the jersey of the Blue-Whites for a total of seven seasons. During this time, he played 126 games in the 2. Bundesliga, scoring 18 goals, and 57 games in the Bundesliga, scoring ten times.
Hahn was particularly prominent in the 1978/79 Bundesliga season. A special moment was his equaliser against FC Bayern Munich. In front of 19,000 spectators, he scored the leveller in the 89th minute to make it 1-1, which earned him the „Goal of the Month“ award. We warmly congratulate Uwe Hahn on his birthday and wish him many more wonderful moments, happiness, and above all, good health.
+++ Let's celebrate, Joachim! +++
Another former member of the Lilien family is celebrating his birthday. On Thursday (July 3rd), former Lilien player Joachim Weber turns 74. His career at SV Darmstadt 98 began in the 1971/72 season. Even in his early years, he impressed with his exceptional commitment and passion on the pitch.
In the following season, he crowned his achievements by winning the Regionalliga Süd championship. A highlight of his career was SV 98’s first promotion to the Bundesliga in 1978, in which he played a key role. We also warmly congratulate Joachim Weber on his special day and wish him health, happiness, and many wonderful moments.
+++ In memory of Erwin Baumann +++
The Lilies community mourns the loss of the oldest member of SV Darmstadt 98. Erwin Baumann has passed away at the age of 104. Baumann was born in Darmstadt in 1920 and remained loyal to his hometown until the end. At over 100 years old, he was a true local and a huge fan of SV Darmstadt 98. In the 2023/24 season, SV Darmstadt 98 welcomed him as a special guest at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor for their home game against Werder Bremen, and met him for an interview beforehand.
His enthusiasm for the Lilies began with his friend Willi Abt, a former player for the club. Since then, Erwin has rarely missed a home game at Böllenfalltor and can look back on many decades as a loyal fan. The Lilies family wishes all of his relatives strength. We will miss you, Erwin!
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Disappointment & pride
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.