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.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: