Press conference in the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor. Before the last home game of the season against TSG Hoffenheim (May 12/3:30pm), Torsten Lieberknecht was in the room to answer questions. The Lilien head coach spoke about the upcoming game, but also about contract issues in the squad and about the top talent team. We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Holland and Fraser Hornby are still out injured. Matthias Bader (nose surgery), Clemens Riedel (ankle problems), Sebastian Polter (infection) and Braydon Manu (rehab after a torn muscle fibre) are also out. Christoph Zimmermann is missing and suspended. Bartol Franjic and Klaus Gjasula are back in training.
It is the last home game in the Bundesliga. And we have every desire to win this game. This would be a nice moment and is our opportunity to send a big thank you to our fans. Despite the great disappointment we all feel about the season, the solidarity between them and us is absolutely there.
Hoffenheim will be a highly motivated opponent who has the opportunity to get into Europe. TSG is equipped with very good individual players, Andrej Kramaric has recently emerged as a fixture again and Maximilan Beier has developed enormously. They usually play with a back three and they recently proved once again against Leipzig that they can play really well.
Every single player can present themselves well again. This also has something to do with your own drive and with grabbing your own honour. The boys showed this motivation in training this week. My aim is to always get the team on the pitch so that they are ready. And I believe that, despite our score, morale has never been a problem this season.
Of course, we are already thinking about one or two players. We mustn’t forget that we promoted with many of these players. So they have absolutely proven their suitability for the second division. It’s basically about how we want to change our team and which of these players could fit in there. The question is: What value can a player bring to what we want to build here? It was important that Paul now got an idea of the boys and we are in communication about these players. It is important that we are open in our communication with the players.
I am very happy that we will implement the team in this way. And of course we want to fill this team with life. Understandably, there was the hurdle regarding league affiliation and it is nice that the Hessian Football Association has now made the decision to let the team compete in the Hessenliga. The Hessenliga is a great league so that our boys can get used to men’s football. This is also an advantage for our talent acquisition because young players often ask questions about playing practice. We have often been second winners there because other teams were able to guarantee this high level of match practice.
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.