How do the Lilies plan to approach the cup match against VfB Lübeck on Saturday (August 16th, 6pm)? What does Florian Kohfeldt think of the DFB Cup? And how does the head coach assess their opponents ahead of the upcoming clash? The Lilies coach answered these and other questions at the press conference on Thursday (August 14th). We've summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel Update: Paul Will and Sergio Lopez are still out for Saturday night’s game. All other players are available.
I think it’s great that at least 1,200 Lilien fans are here in Lübeck. This shows that there is interest in the Lilies and that the bond between fans and team is completely intact – that’s very important to me, and I’m very happy about it. Because of my northern German background, I know the Lohmühle very well; the Lilien fans will be clearly heard there.
For me, the „do or die“ principle embodies the DFB-Pokal. On Saturday nights, we know exactly what’s going on – it’s all about winning. And I love knockout matches. This competition makes for very special evenings and a unique atmosphere in the stadiums. In Germany, the DFB-Pokal enjoys an incredibly high status. The final in Berlin is the game of the year here, the one everyone wants to go to. For me, the DFB-Pokal is the greatest competition in German football.
We prepared for the opponent just as we would for a league match. Of course, you intuitively know more about teams like Nürnberg or Bochum than about Lübeck, but we analysed them both live and via video. Lübeck pursues a clear game plan with bold positional play on the ball and numerous positional changes in the centre. They usually operate with wide wingers and a striker – usually Antonio Verinac – who moves well. After a major shake-up in the squad, they signed many players from the region – including Fabio Istefo, whom I remember from my time in northern Germany. Nevertheless, with all due respect, you have to accept that they implement this at Regionalliga level.
We won’t know until Saturday evening whether Lübeck has a special plan for our game. Our mindset will be more crucial: We have to play very clearly from the first minute, with maximum focus and high intensity. Lübeck has the opportunity to gain enormous added value from this game, not only as a team but also as a club – we must be aware of that. At the same time, we must leave no doubt from the outset that we are so concentrated, focused, and intense that we can win the match.
The game has to tip in our favour at some point—when exactly doesn’t matter. No one should go into the match expecting us to be 2-0 up after ten minutes. That’s not what we’re after. Our goal is to leave Lübeck as winners after 90 minutes—or extra time if necessary. We have plans both for when Lübeck presses high and for when they drop back. I have only one goal on Saturday: to reach the second round of the DFB-Pokal. The result is the only thing that matters—that’s part of this competition, too.
The Lohmühle is a very distinctive stadium, and we’re lucky to play there. However, you often have to work hard to focus on a first-round match. In the cup, you can sometimes feel like you’re playing at a regional sports facility—thankfully, in Lübeck, it’s completely different. There’s no point in dwelling on the past. The key is to fully concentrate on what lies ahead.
I won’t hand out gifts or rotate players just so certain players get playing time. One thing is clear to me: the best possible team will be on the pitch. I’m also not a fan of automatically fielding the reserve goalkeeper in cup matches. My job is to exemplify total focus, and that includes leaving nothing out in our preparations—including the decision to field the strongest eleven.
After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.