Unmistakably, he glides elegantly across the sky. And when he’s not soaring through the air, he perches atop his nest, which can be up to two metres in diameter. His predominantly white plumage defines his appearance. His red beak and legs provide a striking contrast. We’re talking, of course, about the stork.
These colours were long reflected in football as well. Holstein Kiel, also known as the „Storks,“ used to play in white jerseys and shorts with red socks – an appearance strongly reminiscent of the bird they were named after. Today, the color scheme is slightly different, but the nickname remains.
The team from northern Germany currently sits in 15th place in the table. Before the last matchday, they had gone four consecutive second-division games without a win. But then there was a change in the coaching position. New coach = fresh start? Tim Walter was back on the sidelines for Kiel last weekend, having previously coached KSV Holstein Kiel in the 2018/19 season.
In his Kiel comeback, SV Elversberg visited the Holstein Stadium, and the Storks immediately secured their first point against the fourth-placed team. The Storks intend to use this momentum to establish themselves above the relegation zone.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| David Zec – 5 Goals | Alexander Bernhardsson – 6 Assists |
| Phil Harres – 4 Goals | Phil Harres – 2 Assists |
| Ivan Nekic – 2 Goals | John Tolkin – 2 Assists |
| Alexander Bernhardsson – 2 Goals | Niklas Niehoff – 2 Assists |
| Jonas Therkelsen – 2 Goals | Adrian Kapralik – 1 Assists |
Tim Walter
Head coach of Holstein KielThe league is a marathon, not a sprint, or so the old football adage goes. Kiel players cover an average of around 122 kilometres per game. Only Arminia Bielefeld and Dynamo Dresden cover more distance. The Storks also rank highly in terms of high-intensity runs per game: with 721 runs, they are third in the league, surpassed only by Schalke and Bielefeld. The KSV players not only cover great distances, but also frequently push themselves to their limits.
Comeback qualities can be crucial in the relegation battle. One Kiel player exemplifies this: Alexander Bernhardsson. The attacking midfielder unfortunately missed eleven games due to foot problems. Last weekend, fans in the Kiel stands breathed a sigh of relief: In the 71st minute, „Berra,“ as he is also known, finally made his return, ending his three-month absence. Although he left the pitch without scoring, he boosted the team’s belief in staying in the league. On his immediate return, Holstein Kiel secured a point against the top team from Elversberg.
The Swede is under contract in Kiel, his first club outside his home country. He joined the Storks at the beginning of 2024 and is currently experiencing the peak of his career. The Swedish national team only really took notice of the 27-year-old during his time at KSV Holstein Kiel. At what is statistically the prime age for a footballer, he doesn’t just want to be a promising talent, but also a key player in the hunt for goals.
Although he’s just returned from injury, Kiel’s number eleven, with eight scorer points in 15 matches, is still the Stork’s most offensively potent player. How many minutes he’ll be able to play against SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday afternoon remains to be seen. It’s clear, however, that he can be dangerous even with just a few minutes on the pitch. It’s no coincidence that Darmstadt’s head coach already stated before the first leg that Bernhardsson „is one of the top players in the league.“
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: