How can the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor and the Lilies' fans become the decisive factor on Friday evening (March 7th/6:30pm)? What does SV Darmstadt 98 need to do to successfully play the match against Karlsruher SC? And what are the strengths of their upcoming opponents? Florian Kohfeldt answered these and other questions at the press conference on Wednesday (March 5th). We have summarized the most important statements from the Darmstadt head coach for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader, Paul Will and Christoph Zimmermann as well as Kai Klefisch are out. Oscar Vilhelmsson and Othmane El Idrissi are also still unavailable. Fabian Nürnberger is, as is well known, out due to a red card suspension, Clemens Riedel is returning after serving a yellow card suspension. Philipp Förster is still out due to illness. It is currently not foreseeable when he will return.
We need a mixture of energy, straightforwardness and patience to prepare for our moments. When we have the ball, we need a mix of aggressive attack and alertness. We must always keep in mind that KSC can make a lot out of very little.
As with every evening game, we will go back to the day hotel and then travel together to the stadium in the team bus. This beloved bus ride is a crucial part of the trip because the journey through the city is very special. Before the game, we will also try to build a bond with the spectators. There have already been many cool moments on Friday evenings at the Bölle. I hope that we can experience a moment like that again. We want to work on it together with the spectators.
The Bölle and the fans can be a factor on Friday evening. I am pleased that the fans have found a close bond with us. On Friday evening – especially when there are difficult moments – it would be outstanding if the fans took on their role again and said: „OK, it’s difficult right now. But now we are here, now we are helping the team.“ We are aware of this. The fans can be an important part of the success that we are aiming for on Friday evening.
Karlsruher SC has a very mature and grown-up team. They have many players who have been playing in the league for a long time. They also have a real difference-maker in their ranks in Marvin Wanitzek. They changed the system from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 and have won twice recently. With the two victories they have gained some peace of mind and can even look up again. In terms of football they have a very determined team, especially in the final third. When they have the ball they are not above waiting in the block and enduring situations. They deliberately look for their pressing moments.
We played a really good away game in Magdeburg for 55 minutes. We had a lot of chances to score, only conceded one chance in that phase and defended everything, which is not a given against 1. FC Magdeburg. The crucial point was the 1-1. That led to an emotional situation that was not good. In the last half hour we conceded a lot, which Magdeburg punished. But together with the Schalke game, we were extremely stable for a total of 145-150 minutes. We ourselves were dangerous time and time again. The team should take that with them. However, we have to remain clear-headed and stick together, especially after moments like conceding goals. We shouldn’t have a half hour like that in Magdeburg again.
The emotional reaction after the 1-1 draw has various and understandable reasons. At the beginning of the season, it was all about how a team achieves emotional stability on the pitch. A lot of that is about leaders. We have chosen players to fulfil this role of emotional leadership – we are talking about Clemens Riedel, Kai Klefisch, Philipp Förster, Fraser Hornby, Fabian Nürnberger. Of these players, who are supposed to hold the team together emotionally and form an axis, only one was on the pitch in Magdeburg.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.