Foto: SV 98 23.08.2026 / English
Lilies Reach 2nd Round of the Cup
SV 98 has secured a spot in the next round of the DFB-Pokal. The Lilies won 2–1 (2–1) away at FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Milan Smit (11th minute) and Lance Duijvestijn (41st minute) sealed the victory against the Regionalliga side.
In the opening stages of the DFB-Pokal match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena, the hosts produced some promising passages of play and created dangerous scoring opportunities, though they failed to find the net. The South Hessians proved more clinical, taking the lead with their very first shot: Milan Smit beat his marker before firing a precise shot into the left corner from over 20 metres out in the 11th minute. Just three minutes later, Manolo Merx had a golden opportunity to make it 2–0; after receiving a precise pass from Patric Pfeiffer, the youngster found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lifted the ball well over the crossbar.
Buoyed by the lead, the Lilien grew in confidence and continued to threaten; for instance, a shot from Lance Duijvestijn—following a lay-off by Merx—was blocked at the last moment, while Kai Klefisch’s subsequent long-range effort flew high over the bar just before the half hour mark. Six minutes later, Duijvestijn missed another chance from close range, denied by a save with the goalkeeper’s foot on 34 minutes. The ensuing corners created two dangerous moments: first, the keeper saved a shot from Pfeiffer, and then a defender cleared a header from Aleksandar Vukotic off the line.
The 98ers failed to capitalise on their chances, and the hosts equalised with a spectacular strike in the 39th minute: Elias Löder unleashed a first-time volley from long range that flew unstoppably into the top corner. Darmstadt responded immediately, however; after a one-two with Smit, Duijvestijn found himself unmarked in front of the keeper and scored from a tight angle to restore the lead, 2 minutes later.
The teams headed into the half-time break with the visitors holding a narrow but deserved lead.
After the restart, the Lilien largely controlled the game but initially struggled to turn that dominance into dangerous scoring opportunities. All in all, the second half offered few highlights, but ultimately the 98ers advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal without any major issues.
Pictures from the Game
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
„A cup battle that we embraced and won“
The Lilies have reached the second round after a hard-fought cup match in Jena. We’ve rounded up the post-match reactions for you.
Team News: Starting Debut for Merx
Cup action for the Lilies. In the first round of the DFB-Pokal, SV 98 are away at FC Carl Zeiss Jena (August 23, 3:30pm). Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting lineup compared to the match in Dresden: Manolo Merx starts in place of Yosuke Furukawa, and Raoul Petretta starts instead of Florian Kleinhansl. Hiroki Akiyama is missing from the squad following a relapse due to illness.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Jena Game
Cup action awaits! On Sunday (August 23, 3:30pm), the Lilies kick off their campaign in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The trip takes them to the ad hoc arena at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in Jena—Thuringia’s "City of Light." 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? As always, we’ve gathered all the key information about the game against Carl Zeiss Jena for you in "Matchday Guide."
Opposition Check: Carl Zeiss Jena
Floodlights illuminate the pitch at Düsseldorf’s Rheinstadion as the FC Carl Zeiss Jena players step onto the field on May 13, 1981. Behind them lies a European campaign that has long since made football history: coach Hans Meyer’s team had already overcome AS Roma, Valencia CF, Newport County, and Benfica on their journey through the European Cup Winners' Cup. Now, just 90 minutes stand between them and ultimate triumph. Waiting on the other side is Dinamo Tbilisi. It is the biggest European night in the club's history—and even though it ends in a 2 - 1 defeat, this extraordinary journey remains inextricably linked to FC Carl Zeiss Jena to this day.
Statement on fan criticism of VAR
It was announced yesterday, Thursday (August 20th), that organised fan groups across Germany are planning major protests against the video assistant referee (VAR) during the first round of the cup competition. The SV 98 fan base has also stated that it will participate in these protests during the Lilies match against Carl Zeiss Jena. SV Darmstadt 98 fully understands the reasons behind the protests and is in complete agreement with the views expressed on many points.
„I love this competition“
Ahead of the cup match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena (August 23, 3:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered questions from the assembled journalists at the press conference. We have summarised the key statements made by the Lilien coach prior to the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
Facts & Figures: Key Stats about the Jena Match
On Sunday, SVD faces FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB-Pokal season. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams in this competition. You can find all further facts and figures regarding the match here.
Fan information for the cup match in Jena
On Sunday (August 23rd), we will be playing away against FC Carl Zeiss Jena at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. Together with you, we aim to advance to the next round of the DFB-Pokal. As always, here is all the organisational information regarding the cup match in Jena:
A forum for meeting and getting to know one another
For many years, the Lilien sponsors' summer party has been a fixture on the SV Darmstadt 98 summer calendar. For this year's event, the club headed to the Ried region—specifically to the Coreum in Stockstadt am Rhein. Together with more than 400 guests, the Lilien enjoyed an evening that was both informative and entertaining, and which flew by in a flash.
Starting Friday: Member pre-sale for Wolfsburg
Our third away match of the new season takes us to Lower Saxony. We will be visiting VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 6. Here’s how you can be there to support the team: the pre-sale for members begins this coming Friday (August 21) at 12pm – both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion.
BoxKlub Martinsviertel invites you to an open event.
On September 3rd, children, young people, and their parents can find out about the new offering and get some hands-on experience with the punching bag.
U21’s misses out on late winner
SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team drew 1–1 (1–0) away at KSV Baunatal. After taking the lead through Yannick Stark, the "Lilies" conceded an equaliser shortly after the break. Patrick Kurt’s side dominated proceedings for much of the remainder of the match but, despite numerous attacking forays, failed to score the decisive goal.