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
SV 98 has confirmed the signing of a new central striker: Milan Smit will be hunting for goals for the "Lilies." The 23-year-old Dutchman is joining the club at the Böllenfalltor on loan from Stoke City until the end of the season.
SV 98 has found a new transition coach in Marcel Titsch Rivero. The 36-year-old succeeds Maximilian Mehring in this role; Mehring has been serving as Sporting Director of the youth academy since March of this year.
The first away match of the new 2026/27 season is coming up. This Sunday (August 16, 1:30pm), the Lilies will visit SG Dynamo Dresden at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. As always, you can find all the important information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a 4–1 (0–1) victory over SV Rot-Weiss Walldorf. After a difficult opening phase, the match took a decisive turn following a red card for Walldorf. In the second half, Patrick Kurt's team dominated proceedings and turned the game around, scoring four goals to claim the win.
On Sunday, SVD faces its first away match of the 2026/27 season against Dynamo Dresden. The Lilies have managed to score at least once in every match played at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion so far. You can find further facts and figures regarding the game here.
Darmstadt or Smallville? Florian Kleinhansl answered reporters' questions, the U21 team is playing in Walldorf, and we look back at the Lilies' grassroots sports camp. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found as usual in "Lilies Across the Board".
Bielefeld is coming to the Bölle! For the fifth matchday of the new second division season, SV Darmstadt 98 will face Arminia Bielefeld on Friday (September 11th, 6.30pm). Here’s how to get your tickets: Member pre-sale starts next Wednesday (August 12th) at 12pm, both online and at the ticket office at the Merck Stadium.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team drew 1-1 (1-1) with SV Rot-Weiß Hadamar. Playing in front of their home crowd, the young Lilies took the lead but conceded the equaliser before halftime.
Darmstadt's season started with a bang. A late comeback secured SV 98 a point against Holstein Kiel. Our analysis examines the key moments of the match, highlighting both the positives and the negatives.
Darmstadt showed great character, coming back from a 0-2 deficit in their first competitive match of the new season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
SV 98 demonstrated their resilience and comeback qualities right from the first matchday: In the 2-2 (0-2) draw, the Lilies equalised a two-goal deficit and ultimately snatched a point from the visitors. Lee (76th minute) and Vukotić (86th minute) sent the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor into raptures in the second half.
Darmstadt 98 kick off their new second division season with a home game against Holstein Kiel (August 8th/1pm). Florian Kohfeldt will field four new players in the starting lineup – Noah Weißhaupt, Florian Kleinhansl, Christopher Lannert, and Lance Duijvestijn – who will be making their competitive debuts for the Lilies.