04.07.2026 / English
Lilies secure a fitting victory in Arheilgen
SV Darmstadt 98 decisively won their first pre-season friendly, defeating the district league side SG Arheilgen 12-0 (4-0).
Florian Kohfeldt: „The atmosphere was great, the pitch was excellent, and the organisation was fantastic. We were patient, didn’t get caught on the counter-attack, and created a lot of goals. The new signings all did a decent job, but of course the real tests are still to come. Overall, I’m satisfied with today’s performance.“
Duijvestijn opens, Corredor worth seeing
As expected, Darmstadt controlled the match from the outset and took an early lead. Lance Duijvestijn opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a pass from Yosuke Furukawa. It was the new signing’s first goal and also his first goal in preseason training for the 2026/27 season. Kai Klefisch doubled the lead just under five minutes later with a spectacular strike from around 18 metres.
Despite conceding early goals, the hosts showed great commitment and displayed a high work rate. Darmstadt didn’t find a way through until the 32nd minute, when Furukawa scored. Shortly before the halftime whistle, Fynn Lakenmacher added another, making it 4-0 after a superb first touch.
At halftime, head coach Florian Kohfeldt made nine substitutions, and the newly formed Darmstadt side immediately went on the offensive. Ibrahim El Kadiri set up Meldin Dreskovic, who finished expertly to make it 5-0 on 47 minutes. Just three minutes later, Lars Kehl also recorded his first assist for Darmstadt, with Killian Corredor converting.
Corredor then scored the most spectacular goal of the day in the 63rd minute: the Frenchman scored with a spectacular bicycle kick to make it 7-0. Shortly afterward, Kehl added another to make it 8-0.
Despite the sweltering heat, Darmstadt continued their attacking onslaught, with Manolo Merx getting on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute (9-0).
The hosts admitted they had hoped for a lower scoreline, but Kehl dashed those hopes with his second goal in the 77th minute. And that wasn’t all: Corredor completed his hat trick to make it 11-0. Ibrahim El Kadiri then capped off the scoring with a penalty in the 88th minute.
Starting XI – First Half: Börner – Klassen, Weißhaupt, Dreskovic, Klefisch (C), Lakenmacher, Duijvestijn, Furukawa, Pfister, Herbst, Lührs
Starting XI – Second Half: Börner – Lopez, Dettoni, El Kadiri, Dreskovic, Akiyama, Petretta, Vukotic, Kehl, Corredor, Merx
Goals:
1:0 Duijvestijn (11′), 2:0 Klefisch (15′), 3:0 Furukawa (32′), 4:0 Lakenmacher (43′), 5:0 Dreskovic (47′), 6:0 Corredor (51′), 7:0 Corredor (63′), 8:0 Kehl (66′), 9:0 Merx (72′), 10:0 Kehl (77′), 11:0 Corredor (82′), 12:0 El Kadiri (Pen 88′).
Transfer News: Will Changes to Fürth
Paul Will will no longer play for SV 98. The midfielder is moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, the club where the 27-year-old already played on loan during the second half of the previous season. Both clubs have agreed on a permanent transfer.
A tribute to the Lily – SV 98’s new home kit
Throughout its eventful history, SV Darmstadt 98 has gone through many different eras. Yet, the Lily has been a constant companion throughout. It is the symbol that has united the club for generations. The home jersey for the 2026/27 season is therefore a tribute to the Lily—a mark of tradition, yet also an emblem of the current era.
Anne Baumann honoured as a „proud Heinerin“
A special honour for Anne Baumann. During the official opening of the Heinerfest on Thursday (July 2nd), the Darmstadt native was honored as a "committed Heinerin."
On December 22nd: Christmas carol singing at the Merck Stadium | Tickets available from Friday
Southern Hesse’s largest choir! On December 22, 2026, the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor will once again be filled with Christmas spirit as the great Darmstadt Christmas Sing-Along—presented by Merck—takes place for the third time. Advance ticket sales begin on Friday (July 3 at 12:00pm), both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion. We have summarised all further details for you in this announcement.
The Lilies at the Heinerfest | First pre-season friendly in Arheilgen
The 76th Darmstadt Heinerfest is just around the corner, and naturally, the Lilies will be part of the action—we’ll be covering it. Meanwhile, on Saturday (July 4th), SV Darmstadt 98 will play their first friendly of this summer’s pre-season against SG Arheilgen, featuring debuts for new signings and the unveiling of the new kit. In "Lilies Across the Board," we bring you all the latest news and updates from within the club.
2026/27 Schedule: Lilien kick off with home match against Kiel
The Bundesliga e.V. released the fixture list for the upcoming 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season on Thursday midday (July 2nd). The Lilies will kick off the new season with a home match against Holstein Kiel at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor (August 8th or 9th). SV Darmstadt 98’s first away trip follows a week later on Matchday 2, taking them to Dynamo Dresden.
Transfer News: Duijvestijn Strengthens the Attack
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
„A very successful start“
On Sunday afternoon (June 28th), head coach Florian Kohfeldt gathered his squad for the first training session of the pre-season in 35-degree heat. The opening session is always a special occasion, but this year it had a unique twist: the "Lilies" did not train in their usual surroundings at the Böllenfalltor, but rather at the SV Winterkasten grounds in the Odenwald region—watched by more than 400 spectators who attended the roughly 90-minute session.
Transfer News: El Kadiri joins Darmstadt
There continues to be movement in the Lilien's attack. SV 98 has signed Ibrahim El Kadiri from the Dutch club De Graafschap Doetinchem.
Transfer News: Kehl becomes the Lilies‘ next new signing.
SV 98 can announce another new signing ahead of the start of training on Sunday (June 28). Lars Kehl is joining the "Lilies" from VfL Osnabrück on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.
The Lilies kick off their 2026 summer pre-season.
It was an early start on Thursday morning (June 25th) as SV Darmstadt 98 kicked off their 2026 summer pre-season. The goalkeepers were expected at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor just before 7am, with many other players following shortly thereafter. Yet, despite the early hour, a cheerful Marcel Schuhen jogged from the car park to the team building, flashing a broad grin as he held up an "eight" for the camera. "Today marks the eighth time in a row that I’m starting summer pre-season with the Lilies," smiled the SV 98 captain; under contract at the "Bölle" since 2019, he is the longest-serving player in the current squad.
