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.
Paul Will will no longer play for SV 98. The midfielder is moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, the club where the 27-year-old already played on loan during the second half of the previous season. Both clubs have agreed on a permanent transfer.
Throughout its eventful history, SV Darmstadt 98 has gone through many different eras. Yet, the Lily has been a constant companion throughout. It is the symbol that has united the club for generations. The home jersey for the 2026/27 season is therefore a tribute to the Lily—a mark of tradition, yet also an emblem of the current era.
A special honour for Anne Baumann. During the official opening of the Heinerfest on Thursday (July 2nd), the Darmstadt native was honored as a "committed Heinerin."
Southern Hesse’s largest choir! On December 22, 2026, the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor will once again be filled with Christmas spirit as the great Darmstadt Christmas Sing-Along—presented by Merck—takes place for the third time. Advance ticket sales begin on Friday (July 3 at 12:00pm), both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion. We have summarised all further details for you in this announcement.
The 76th Darmstadt Heinerfest is just around the corner, and naturally, the Lilies will be part of the action—we’ll be covering it. Meanwhile, on Saturday (July 4th), SV Darmstadt 98 will play their first friendly of this summer’s pre-season against SG Arheilgen, featuring debuts for new signings and the unveiling of the new kit. In "Lilies Across the Board," we bring you all the latest news and updates from within the club.
The Bundesliga e.V. released the fixture list for the upcoming 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season on Thursday midday (July 2nd). The Lilies will kick off the new season with a home match against Holstein Kiel at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor (August 8th or 9th). SV Darmstadt 98’s first away trip follows a week later on Matchday 2, taking them to Dynamo Dresden.
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
On Sunday afternoon (June 28th), head coach Florian Kohfeldt gathered his squad for the first training session of the pre-season in 35-degree heat. The opening session is always a special occasion, but this year it had a unique twist: the "Lilies" did not train in their usual surroundings at the Böllenfalltor, but rather at the SV Winterkasten grounds in the Odenwald region—watched by more than 400 spectators who attended the roughly 90-minute session.
There continues to be movement in the Lilien's attack. SV 98 has signed Ibrahim El Kadiri from the Dutch club De Graafschap Doetinchem.
SV 98 can announce another new signing ahead of the start of training on Sunday (June 28). Lars Kehl is joining the "Lilies" from VfL Osnabrück on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.
It was an early start on Thursday morning (June 25th) as SV Darmstadt 98 kicked off their 2026 summer pre-season. The goalkeepers were expected at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor just before 7am, with many other players following shortly thereafter. Yet, despite the early hour, a cheerful Marcel Schuhen jogged from the car park to the team building, flashing a broad grin as he held up an "eight" for the camera. "Today marks the eighth time in a row that I’m starting summer pre-season with the Lilies," smiled the SV 98 captain; under contract at the "Bölle" since 2019, he is the longest-serving player in the current squad.
