It'll be a tough game, but ultimately SV 98 will advance to the next round. The Lilies won a lacklustre but thoroughly deserved victory against a strong VfB Lübeck. Matej Maglica and Fraser Hornby put the South Hesse side on track with their goals in front of 1,300 away fans. We've rounded up the comments.
„The first round of the cup is always difficult, as this afternoon with the results at the other venues demonstrated. Measured against that, we delivered a performance that was not brilliant, but commanding. We didn’t concede much against a Lübeck team that played courageously, intensely, and at times with high pressure. A huge compliment to our opponents for maintaining that intensity for so long. We still had several chances to make it 3-0, but couldn’t find the net. The goal against us made things even more hectic. I didn’t like the heavy fouls on my players in the final minutes. Overall, I’d say we deserved to advance, but I also compliment them on our opponents, who gave us the cup fight we expected.“
„Congratulations to Darmstadt 98 on advancing. We played against a top second-division team. We wanted to let the opponent come forward and then quickly look for depth after winning the ball. I would have liked to have done that more effectively at times. We had intense duels against really fit second-division players. Overall, I was very pleased with our performance. In the end, I can’t fault any of my players. Everyone believed in it and fought hard. Even after going 2-0 down, we wanted to force the win, and hope resurfaced after going 2-1. Ultimately, though, it was a deserved win for Darmstadt. I pay a huge compliment to my team.“
„It was a tough game. And that’s what we expected. Because it’s always nasty to have to play against a regional league team in the first round of the DFB Cup. Today it was all about winning the game. And we won. That’s why we’re happy to have advanced to the next round. Overall, it was very intense and physical. We took our opponents completely seriously; everyone pulled together. We hardly conceded any chances from the open play. Nevertheless, it certainly wasn’t a beautiful game from our side today. We lacked the necessary precision in the final third, and our running wasn’t quite there. The goal conceded at the end shouldn’t have happened, but we still played the game maturely and won. That’s the most important thing.“
„We knew what to expect today. Nevertheless, today wasn’t our best day in terms of play. But that’s part of being a team: fighting, grit, and simply trying to win the game. In the cup, it’s all about advancing to the next round. And we did that. That’s what counts. That ’sloppy goal‘ from Matej just before halftime was very important. But we had good chances before that too. Lübeck, of course, defended with all their men. And when there are so many in the box, it’s difficult to score. Nevertheless, we created many chances and could have scored more than the two goals. Of course, the goal conceded shortly before the end was unnecessary. Up until then, we hadn’t let anything slip away. That’s why it was a deserved win overall.“
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.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.