Ahead of the first evening match of the season against Arminia Bielefeld (September 11th, 6:30pm), our head coach Florian Kohfeldt spoke about returning player Marco Richter, the bond between fans and the team, and the upcoming opponent. We've summarised the most important points for you here:
Personnel update: In addition to the three long-term injured players Luca Marseiler, Fabian Nürnberger, and Merveille Papela, and the suspended Aleksandar Vukotic, Fynn Lakenmacher (ongoing adductor problems) and Alexander Brunst (laceration) will be unavailable tomorrow. Manolo Merx’s participation remains uncertain after his illness.
We already talked about Marco at the beginning of the transfer window. Given the circumstances at the time, it simply wasn’t financially feasible. Nevertheless, we’ve always held him in high regard, and we still do. This is naturally due to his excellent performances last season and his standing within the team. He knows the league and is a well-known figure, even in the second division. At the beginning of the week, a situation arose where we said: it makes sense for us to bring him back. I’m very happy that he’s back with us. Above all, for two reasons: first and foremost, as a footballer, but also as a truly influential personality. I believe that the maturity he brings will do us a lot of good. Because we still believe in the quality and potential of this squad.
It’s certainly not the best phase I’ve experienced in over two years in Darmstadt. But I’m experiencing it just like all the others: with incredible motivation to get the team back on track and to get to where we were for many periods over the last two years. And that’s why I’m doing well, because I have the feeling that we can do it. I have no doubts. That definitely doesn’t mean I’m trying to sugarcoat anything. We played really poorly in Kaiserslautern, especially in the second half. And we addressed that clearly internally. I’ve spoken very frankly with individual players again, especially with the leaders. And what I’m experiencing has been incredibly encouraging: this feeling that there’s no doubt.
But we have to be aware of the situation. And we have to start picking up points now, and consistently picking up points. We know that. That’s what we’re working on.
Arminia Bielefeld underwent a coaching change after last season, but from an outsider’s perspective, it hasn’t significantly altered their style of play. They remain a team very strong in attacking transitions and possess a large number of very fast players. They play flexibly with the ball, have a variable build-up, and also have someone like Russo who can drop deep and overload the wing. They have the ability to make runs in behind, but also the capacity to overload spaces. So, they are a very aggressive team whose core strength lies in their attacking transitions and very effective pressing. They are a team I have great respect for. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge we naturally want to win on Friday.
Ultimately, the team always has the responsibility to deliver. And the coaching staff also has to ensure the atmosphere is electric. That’s been one of the greatest achievements in my two years here: that this bond between fans and team has become so strong again. Because when I arrived two years ago, it wasn’t. And we desperately want it to be this strong. We’re counting on our fans, and I can only reiterate: It’s incredibly important that you’re by our side. Even last Saturday, it was never a question of the individual players‘ or the team’s willingness. Everyone here gives their all. I completely understand that things didn’t look as we’d hoped in the second half on Saturday. And that’s why we need the fans on Friday night. We need everyone because we’re facing a difficult situation, we know that. But we have faith. And with every shout, that faith grows stronger.
So, shout on Friday. We’d love that.
Darmstadt host Arminia Bielefeld. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the defeat in Kaiserslautern. Carlo Sickinger starts in place of Hiroki Akiyama, who is out with a thigh injury. Returning player Marco Richter replaces Lars Kehl in the starting eleven, and Hojae Lee starts instead of Lance Duijvestijn.
Floodlight Friday! On Friday evening (Sept. 11, 6:30pm), SV 98 takes on Arminia Bielefeld in Matchday 5 action. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match? And where can you follow the game? As always, we’ve gathered all the key information about the match against Bielefeld for you in "Matchday Guide."
For the upcoming home match on Friday (September 11, 2026, at 6:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Starting this season, we are introducing dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance offering easier access at Karl-Hess-Platz.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team won 3-1 (0-0) against SV Rot-Weiss Walldorf. In a heated match, Patrick Kurt's team prevailed and remain undefeated at home.
Arminia Bielefeld hosted SV Arminia Hannover and delivered a performance that remains unmatched to this day. DSC Bielefeld swept aside their opponents with an 11-0 victory. It was not only an extraordinary rout, but also remains the biggest win in the history of the 2. Bundesliga.
On Thursday (September 10), the Bundesliga finalised the exact scheduling for Matchdays 7 through 13. For Matchday 7, we host Energie Cottbus on a Saturday. A week later, we travel on a Sunday to face Karlsruher SC at the Wildpark, before welcoming FC St. Pauli to the Böllenfalltor for a Friday evening match under the floodlights on Matchday 9. The following two matchdays—at home against Magdeburg and away in Nürnberg—are both scheduled for Saturdays. Matchdays 12 and 13 will subsequently take place on Friday evenings.
A familiar face is returning to SV 98: The "Lilies" have signed Marco Richter. The 28-year-old previously played for the South Hessian club on loan last season. Richter had agreed to the termination of his contract with 1. FSV Mainz 05 on September 1st, making it possible to sign the attacking midfielder even after the transfer window had closed.
September 10th marks the tenth anniversary of a very special moment in the recent history of SV Darmstadt 98. During the Hessian derby against Eintracht Frankfurt on that day in 2016, Sandro Sirigu scored the decisive goal—and secured an unforgettable 1–0 home victory for the Lilien—shortly before the final whistle with a delivery that was actually intended as a cross. Ten years later, we spoke with him again about that special goal, his memories of his time at the Bölle, and his enduringly close connection to SV 98.
On Friday (September 11th), Arminia Bielefeld will be visiting the Böllenfalltor stadium. For two players, the match will be a reunion with their former club. Christopher Lannert will face Arminia for the first time since his move to Darmstadt, while Marvin Mehlem will be celebrating his birthday at the Bölle. Find out here what other connections exist between the two clubs and which statistics are particularly interesting ahead of the match.
Under the motto "An Evening Dedicated to the Lily," SV Darmstadt 98 and Klöber Insurance Brokers invite you to the first ever Heart Lily Charity Gala at the Da Capo Varieté Darmstadt on November 25, 2026, at 6pm. All net proceeds from the evening will be donated to three organisations in the region.
Clear words, full steam ahead, and a cup draw in Saarland: Marcel Schuhen speaks after the Kaiserslautern match about responsibility, team spirit, and dealing with setbacks. Meanwhile, our veterans team is on a trip to Regensburg, 180 new bicycle parking spaces are being built around the Bölle stadium, and SV Elversberg awaits in the DFB Cup. The young Lilies also have little time to catch their breath: their next Hessenliga match is already scheduled for Wednesday evening (September 9th). As usual, you'll find all the news and stories from SV Darmstadt 98's club life in "Lilies Across the Board".
Once again this season, our premium partner ENTEGA is creating unique stadium experiences. For every home match, you can win two VIP fan seats in the main stand and also gain access to the ENTEGA VIP Lounge. The application deadline for the match against Bielefeld is Wednesday (September 9th) at 12pm.