Following a difficult first half of the season after their promotion, Dynamo Dresden increasingly found their footing in the 2. Bundesliga over the course of the previous campaign. The Saxon side really stepped up their game in the second half of the season, climbing from the bottom of the table to finish in eleventh place and secure their survival in the league. On the sidelines, SGD continues to place its trust in Thomas Stamm, who has been in charge since the summer of 2024. After an opening 3–0 defeat in Nürnberg, SV Darmstadt 98 now awaits them in the first home match of the new season.
After three years in the 3. Liga, Dynamo Dresden succeeded in returning to the second tier in the summer of 2025. However, the Saxon side initially had to find their feet in the 2. Bundesliga. Thomas Stamm’s team struggled, particularly during the first half of the season, and even headed into the winter break sitting at the bottom of the table. As the season progressed, however, Dynamo stabilised and secured their survival on the final matchday with a 2–1 home victory over Holstein Kiel. Ultimately, the Dresden side finished their first season back in the second division in eleventh place with 41 points.
Looking ahead to the new campaign, the priority for SGD was to build on the positive momentum generated during the second half of the previous season. Pre-season preparations offered some promising signs in this regard. Dresden secured a commanding 5–0 victory over Austrian top-flight side Grazer AK, before facing fellow second-division club Energie Cottbus in a double-header of friendlies—losing one match 2–1 and winning the other by the same scoreline. Their final dress rehearsal was also a success: playing on home turf, Dynamo defeated Bundesliga side Union Berlin 2–1.
Dynamo Dresden kicked off the new second-division season with a decisive 3–0 defeat away at 1. FC Nürnberg. However, the scoreline tells only part of the story: the Saxon side posted an xG (expected goals) value of 1.7 and created several chances—particularly after falling behind early on—but lacked the necessary clinical edge in front of goal. At the other end, Nürnberg proved far more efficient. Mohamed Alì Zoma, in particular, stood out; he netted a hat-trick—scoring in the 9th, 45+3rd, and 75th minutes—to single-handedly secure the opening victory for his team.
For Thomas Stamm, this changes nothing regarding the fundamental approach. Even before the season began, the Dresden coach had emphasised his intention to focus primarily on his own team.
"Our goal is to keep the focus on ourselves and bring our strengths to the pitch."
Goalkeepers: Tim Schreiber, Lennart Grill, Daniel Mesenhöler, Elias Bethke
Defenders: Kenneth Schmidt, Brooklyn Ezeh, Ahmet Muhamedbegovic, Alexander Rossipal, Lars Bünning, Lukas Boeder, Jonas Sterner, Till Neininger, Thomas Keller, Friedrich Müller, Simon Straudi
Midfielders: Nicolai Rapp, Luca Herrmann, Jakob Lemmer, Robert Wagner, Ben Bobzien, Tobias Raschl, Jonas Oehmichen, Niklas Hauptmann
Strikers: Vincent Vermeij, Kaan İnanoğlu, Nils Fröling, Christoph Daferner
Thomas Stamm
Head coach of Dynamo Dresden
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: