Lilies win in Walldorf
SV Darmstadt 98 won their fourth pre-season friendly. The Lilies defeated regional league side FC-Astoria Walldorf 4-1 (0-0) after 120 minutes.
16.10.2024 / English
Opposition Check – 1. FC Köln (H)
The best offensive in the league travels to the Böllenfalltor. So far this season, 1. FC Köln has stood for one thing in particular: lots of goals. So far, 33 goals have been scored in games with “Effzeh” participation, a record. There are 31 goals in games in which the Lilies take part. So it's quite possible that spectators can expect some hits on Friday evening (06.10/6:30pm). Before the clash, we took a closer look at Köln.
Last season both teams met in the Bundesliga, now they meet in the German second division. So far, the Lilies have won two games against 1. FC Köln, one of them in the last meeting on matchday 30 of the previous season with a 2-0 away win. Now the cards have been reshuffled and two “new” teams are competing. So that you know about the upcoming opponent, here are a few key factors for you in the opponent check.
Top Scorers
| Top Scorers | Assists |
| Damion Downs (8 Games/ 4 Goals) | Leart Paqarada (8 Games/ 6 Assists) |
| Timo Hübers (7 Games / 3 Goals) | Tim Lemperle (8 Games/ 4 Assists) |
| Tim Lemperle (8 Games/ 3 Goals) | Linton Maina (8 Games / 4 Assists) |
The Coach
From the insurance industry to a professional coach, via Austria, England, New York to 1. FC Köln – a career path that might surprise many fans. Gerhard Struber wouldn’t be seen on the visitors‘ sidelines at the Bölle this Friday if it hadn’t been for Austria’s national coach Ralf Rangnick. A test match between SV Kuchl and Salzburg was the decisive moment for his move from insurance to professional coaching. „After the game, Ralf Rangnick invited me to talk. With his enthusiasm and persuasiveness, he suggested that I take the path of becoming a full-time football coach. That was a very brave decision at the time, because I had a really good job with the best prospects,“ reports the now 47 year old.
As he once did in Barnsley, Struber now looks after one of the youngest squads in the league in Köln. The Austrian has been very familiar with dealing with and supporting young players for years. For a long time he shaped the youth academies in Salzburg and coached young talents at the highest level. Struber is best known for his offensive style of play – a style that he successfully demonstrated at the beginning of the season. No team has currently scored more goals in the second division than the “Billy Goats”. In the last home game against Ulm, Struber also showed that he can give the full offensive a certain balance. From a stable order, the “Effzeh” won 2-0 against the promoted team and remained without conceding a goal for the second time this season.
Strength
The highlight of 1. FC this season is the outstanding offensive. With 20 goals scored, the Domstadt team has the most goal-hungry attack in the league. Eight different players have already been able to get on the list of goalscorers, the most successful shooter so far is Damion Downs with four goals. A total of five players are among the top 17 of the top scorers and three more are among the ten best scorers in the league. After the KSC, the next demanding challenge awaits the Darmstadt defense line.
All Eyes on ...
…Eric Martel. Hardly any other player covers as many meters on the pitch in the second division as the 22-year-old. He runs an impressive 12.25 kilometers on average in the 90 minutes of a game. He has long since become an indispensable support in the midfield of 1. FC Köln.
The captain of the German U21 has been a permanent part of the squad since 2022. At that time he moved from the East, from Leipzig, to the Rhineland. Martel made his debut in the DFB Cup at the age of 18 under current national coach Julian Nagelsmann. After a loan to Austria Vienna, he finally found his way to 1. FC Köln, where he signed long-term. Even after relegation to the second division, Martel remains committed to the club: „The FC and especially the fans here are something very special. I identify 100 percent with the city and the club. I will give everything for that and I’m happy I am delighted to be able to continue playing for this great club in the future.“
A look into the 1. FC Köln Trophy Cabinet
- German champion: 1961/62, 1963/64, 1977/78
- German Cup winner: 1967/68, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1982/83
- German second division champion: 1999/00, 2004/05, 2013/14, 2018/19
- West German Cup winner: 1952/53, 1963/64
After the friendly match: Meet & Greet at the training camp
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.
Transfer News: Lannert Becomes Part of the Lilies
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Intensive Week of Friendlies | Media Day at the Bölle
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.
Bundesliga Confirms Matchdays 3 to 6
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.
Transfer News: Kleinhansl Signs for SV 98
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.
Lilies continue their scoring spree
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
Focused Energy becomes a premium partner of SV 98
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.
Transfer News: Corredor moves to Nantes
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.
Logistical information for the home match against Homburg
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
Starting Wednesday: Member pre-sale for the first home match against Kiel
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.
Digital prize draw for the Krombacher BöllenfallTOR-Goal Bonus
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.