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 
Fan information for the Münster game
The second consecutive away game, and the last of the season, is upon us. Once again on a Sunday (May 10th, 1:30pm), Darmstadt will be playing away – this time against SC Preußen Münster. Everything you need to know for your final away trip of the season to the LVM-Preußenstadion, about three and a half hours away, can be found here in the usual fan information section.
+++ 98th Baby | Bölle Gang at the traffic school +++
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
Season tickets for the 2026/27 season: All information is available here!
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.