Foto: SV 98 30.07.2024 / English
Merveille Papela in Portrait
The eighth newcomer for the 2024/25 season is midfielder Merveille Papela. The 23-year-old is moving from Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05 to Darmstadt and brings first and second division experience with him to the Bölle. We took a closer look at our new midfielder and would like to introduce you to Merveille.
January 2021. Many will associate this time with negative feelings; Christmas could not be celebrated as we knew it before. There were also contact restrictions on New Year’s Eve; in many places people were not allowed to leave the house after 9pm without a good reason. It was precisely at this time that a big dream came true for the Lilies‘ eighth new signing: Merveille Papela celebrated his Bundesliga debut for FSV Mainz 05 on January 3rd against the German record champions, FC Bayern Munich. The Mainz native was only allowed to get a taste of Bundesliga action for a few minutes at the Allianz Arena, but the then 19-year-old had taken the next big step.
If you look at the midfielder’s first Bundesliga games, some people’s ears will ring: two matches with FC Bayern, two games against Borussia Dortmund and a clash with Leipzig. Papela took the test of competing against the best in the league to the extreme right from the start. In addition to his appearances with the 05ers, the former junior national player played for Mainz’s second team in the Regionalliga Süd-West. In the summer of 2022, he moved to SV Sandhausen in the 2nd Bundesliga; Papela got more playing time in his loan move.
In the past season, the now 23-year-old was back at Rheinhessen and made eleven Bundesliga appearances, and now he is moving to SV Darmstadt 98. “I like what has been built up here in Darmstadt in the last few years. It’s not for nothing that they were competitors in the fight to stay in the Bundesliga last season. “I’m now happy to be part of the club and the team,” said the newcomer when he was introduced.
Papela played at Schott Mainz from 2005 to 2011, after which he was permanently at FSV Mainz 05. The only exception: the one-year loan to Sandhausen. And now: Darmstadt: Welcome to the Böllenfalltor, Merveille!
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 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Stolperstein tour commemorates Jewish club members
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
New breadth for the future and commemorating the past
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Secure your tickets now: Home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on general sale.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
Well-deserved victory for the Young Lilies
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
With the right mindset and positive development
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
Krombacher Böllenfalltor-GOAL-Bonus
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
„Didn’t lose our heads after falling behind early“
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Game turned around! A spirited home win!
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Team News: Two Changes to the Team
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Cottbus Game
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. 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 live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Secure your tickets now: 1. FC Nürnberg vs. SV Elversberg – general sale!
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
Organisational information for the home match against Cottbus
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.