A fresh start. The new season is about to begin, and for Holstein Kiel, as well as for Darmstadt 98, it's a new campaign. After a difficult season as a relegated Bundesliga team, the Storks also have to reset. Tim Walter has been back on the Kiel sidelines since the beginning of the year. Now, the first matchday takes the Storks to the Bölle stadium.
After relegation from the Bundesliga back to the second division, Holstein Kiel quickly faced a sobering reality check. Instead of immediately regaining momentum, the Storks‘ season was rather bumpy. At one point, Kiel even found themselves in the lower reaches of the table before Tim Walter’s return to the Kiel Fjord brought some much-needed stability. However, finishing twelfth with just 41 points was unlikely to have been entirely satisfactory.
Therefore, looking ahead to the new season, the Storks initially focused on preseason training and the further development of their squad. A challenging schedule awaited Kiel. They faced two Bundesliga teams, Mainz 05 and TSG Hoffenheim, as well as Swansea City, an ambitious representative of the English Championship. Kiel suffered defeats against both Mainz and Hoffenheim, and in their final preseason match against Europa League participant Sinsheim, they lost 1-3. For Tim Walter, however, the results were not the only measure of success. Rather, the coach’s focus was on further solidifying his ideas and improving the team’s internal processes. „Our attacking play has become more versatile. Furthermore, the routines are now deeply ingrained,“ Walter explained. The development of the group is a particular priority for the Kiel coach. The team has grown closer, works for each other, and has developed into a cohesive unit: „I believe we are a fantastic group, and I feel that every day. No one complains if I schedule an extra training session. They all enjoy being together and invest a tremendous amount of time and effort.“
| Opposition | Result |
| FC Fredericia (H) | 1:3 |
| SönderjyskE (H) | 2:1 |
| Al-Ahli (H) | 4:1 |
| Swansea City (H) | 2:2 |
| 1. FSV Mainz (A) | 3:0 |
| TSG Hoffenheim 1899 (A) |
3:1 |
Goalkeepers:
Marcel Engelhardt, Lio Rothenhagen, Ben Schmit, Timon Weiner
Defenders:
Marko Ivezic, Caspar Medlin, Ivan Nekic, Leon Parduzi, Lasse Rosenboom, Frederik Roslyng, Sebastian Schonlau, Hiroki Sekine, John Tolkin, David Zec
Midfielders:
Taisei Abe, Faride Alidou, Guillermo Balzi, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kasper Davidsen, Adrian Kapralik, Andu Yobel Kelati, Jonas Meffert, Hamza Muqaj, Moritz Reimers, Steven Skrzybski, Tayar Tasdelen, Jonas Therkelsen, Ikem Ugoh
Strikers:
Phil Harres, Giorgi Kvilitaia, Marcus Müller
Tim Walter
Head coach of Holstein Kiel
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: