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.
Darmstadt 98 lost to Hannover 96 while playing with ten men and must continue to wait for their first win of this second division season. Read our analysis to find out what positives remain and why Darmstadt 98 had factored in setbacks on their chosen path.
Around the time of the home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), the Jonathan Heimes Square was officially inaugurated. Before kickoff, club president Markus Pfitzner and Martin Heimes, father of Jonathan Heimes, who died of cancer about ten years ago, gave speeches highlighting "Johnny's" importance and his commitment to people with cancer.
The Lilien Team Marathon is not just about athletic performance and the shared experience around the Böllenfalltor stadium – but also about making a difference together.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team drew 2-2 (0-1) against SV Unter-Flockenbach. After a heated home game, the young Lilies had to settle for a frustrating, but ultimately deserved, draw. In this extremely balanced league, Patrick Kurt's team continues to grow week by week, gaining valuable experience.
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.
