There were impressive scenes that took place in the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor. Well after the end of the regular game time, the eighth minute of stoppage time had just begun. Then the entire stadium stood up again – some from their seats, others were already standing. South stand and back straight, north and main stand. It was already clear that the Lilies would lose to the German record champions 2:5 a short time later. But they all sang loudly about their beloved club and made one thing clear above all: the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor is pulling together.
The team on the pitch, the lily fans in the stands. “In the stadium you could tell that there was a sense of togetherness,” Torsten Lieberknecht later made clear at the press conference. That’s why the team did a complete lap around the Darmstadt stadium after the final whistle. Not on the field, but behind the advertising board directly along the fences with the fans‘ hands outstretched – from the south stand along the entire back straight to the north and back to the main stand. Not to celebrate despite defeat, but to demonstrate the close connection with one’s own supporters. “The look into the faces of the fans is extremely powerful. “Our fans once again demonstrated their instinct today,” emphasised Fabian Holland.
Before the game, the south stand as well as the back straight and the A block had already announced the motto “All together now” in a joint statement. It only works together. Even during the warm-up it was clear that the team was ready to take the whole stadium with them. Instead of running directly into their half as usual, the Lilies first made a complete lap through the Böllenfalltor on the field and received cheering applause from all ranks. And in the 90 minutes, SV Darmstadt 98 left their blue and white hearts on the pitch despite the 2:5 defeat against FC Bayern Munich. Holland: “The fans saw that we tried everything and left everything on the pitch.”
Right from the start, the Lilies threw themselves at all balls that flew even remotely in the direction of their own goal. “We defended well at the back and threw ourselves into everything,” acknowledged Tim Skarke, who provided a great moment during the first half and caused the Böllenfalltor to tremble with his goal to make it 1-0. This is also proof that it only works together. Mathias Honsak, who had previously dribbled his way through the defense of the German record champions, could also have finished himself. “But he sees me and puts his pass to me. You could see the team spirit on this goal,” praised SV 98’s number 27.
The South Hessians showed themselves to be courageous and, above all, passionate on the defensive. The Lilies also flashed their offensive courage several times. Skarke and Oscar Vilhelmsson scored two goals together against the record champions. The Swedish attacker also hit the crossbar and Sebastian Polter hit the post. And then Manuel Neuer kept his team in the game with a Honsak finish in the first half. But it is also clear that SV Darmstadt 98 was exposed to the brutal quality of FC Bayern Munich throughout the entire game. The statistics would later count 7:27 shots on goal in favour of Munich. The record champion? They have an exceptional team that, alongside so many other world-class players, also has an absolutely exceptional player in its ranks, Jamal Musiala. He entered the top scorer’s list twice, as did Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry and Mathys Tel once each. “It was difficult to defend Bayern’s power,” Skarke had to admit and then clearly added: “We stuck with it and did never put back. We never lost faith and performed as a team. That must give us courage.”
If we want to achieve something great, which is still possible, we should continue to believe in it and not let up as a community in this difficult league and this challenging season.
Courage for the challenging game days that are coming. But first the Bundesliga says goodbye as we head into the international break. But then immensely important weeks await SV Darmstadt 98, who must score points in these to keep their dream of staying in the league alive. “We know that the next few weeks are crucial,” said Holland. First there are the two away games in Bochum and Mainz, then it’s at home against Freiburg and then away again against Cologne. While the Lilies are still at the bottom of the table with 13 points, the gap to the relegation place that Mainz currently holds is six points. And it is clear to everyone involved that this gap must begin to melt as quickly as possible. Torsten Lieberknecht: “If we want to achieve something big, which is still possible, we should continue to believe in it and not let up as a community in this difficult league and this challenging season.” Because this Saturday afternoon showed one thing, despite the 2:5 defeat against Bayern Munich: It only works together.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.