"It’s coming home"? Not quite. But at least it’s coming to the "Bölle"! To kick off the season, SV Darmstadt 98 will host English second-division side Portsmouth FC at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor next Saturday (August 1). Fans of both clubs can look forward not only to an exciting international pre-season test but also to a special day of football centred around the official season opener. Kick-off is at 2pm, with a varied program of activities around the stadium awaiting visitors beforehand. But first, let’s take a closer look at the "Lilies'" opponents.
Cheers, tears, and fighting spirit. Portsmouth Football Club looks back on an eventful history defined by major titles, a dramatic sporting decline, and an impressive comeback. Founded in 1898, the club experienced its most successful era immediately following the Second World War. During the 1948/49 and 1949/50 seasons, Portsmouth—affectionately known by fans simply as „Pompey“—won the English league title twice in succession. They also triumphed twice in the FA Cup: in 1939, Portsmouth defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in the final, and a second cup victory followed in 2008 with a 1–0 win over Cardiff City. Nigerian player Nwankwo Kanu became the hero of the day by scoring the decisive goal. Alongside him, the starting lineup featured other prominent names, such as captain Sol Campbell and former England goalkeeper David James.
In the years that followed, however, the club faced severe financial turmoil. After suffering three relegations in four years, the historic club at one point plummeted to the fourth tier of English football. When Portsmouth faced an uncertain future again in 2013, the fan-led Pompey Supporters’ Trust took over the club and stabilised its finances. Four years later, the Trust sold the club to the Tornante Company, owned by former Disney executive Michael Eisner. Since then, Portsmouth has been privately owned by the Eisner family, while the Supporters’ Trust remains involved in club affairs as a vital voice for the fans. Buoyed by its loyal fanbase, Portsmouth subsequently worked its way back up step by step. Since winning the League One title in 2024, the club from the southern English port city has been competing in the Championship once again.
Portsmouth has played its home matches at the historic Fratton Park since 1899, meaning the stadium has been part of the club’s story for almost its entire existence—the club itself having been founded just a year earlier. It is also the only home ground of an English professional club situated on an island: Fratton Park is located on Portsea Island. Nestled in the heart of a densely built-up residential area, the ground embodies classic English football with its four separate stands, narrow entrances, and the spectators‘ close proximity to the pitch.
Today, Fratton Park has a capacity of around 20,000 spectators, though in the past, far larger crowds flocked to the stadium. The record attendance, which still stands today, was set in 1949 when 51,385 fans watched the FA Cup match against Derby County. Fratton Park has also made history on the international stage: in 1948, it served as one of the venues for the Olympic football tournament. Eight years later, it hosted the first-ever top-flight English league match played under floodlights.
The stadium’s atmosphere is particularly distinctive. The „Fratton End“ is considered the home of Portsmouth’s most vocal supporters, who traditionally cheer on their team with the chant „Play up Pompey, Pompey play up.“ The so-called „Pompey Chimes“ rank among the oldest fan chants still regularly sung in English football.
Architecturally, Fratton Park possesses a unique charm. The historic main entrance on Frogmore Road is particularly striking, featuring a distinctive Tudor-style façade. Parts of the main stand also bear the signature style of renowned stadium architect Archibald Leitch. In recent years, Portsmouth has gradually modernised the ground without abandoning its historic location.
14 wins, 19 losses, and 13 draws: Portsmouth finished the previous Championship season in 18th place with 55 points. After a decent start to the season—winning two of their first four matches—Pompey came under increasing pressure in the autumn. Between October and mid-December, manager John Mousinho’s squad won just two of eleven league games, slipping dangerously close to the relegation zone. However, Portsmouth stabilised around the turn of the year, picking up crucial points with victories over West Bromwich Albion, Charlton Athletic, and Millwall, among others. From Matchday 34 onwards, the club from southern England faltered once more: Pompey secured only a single point from six matches and suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat away at Queens Park Rangers. Yet, the team produced its best form during the season’s final stretch. In their last six league games, John Mousinho’s side lost only to eventual champions Coventry City, securing safety with time to spare thanks to wins against Middlesbrough, Leicester City, and Stoke City.
Adrian Segečić was Portsmouth FC’s top scorer last season with eleven goals. The 22-year-old Australian-Croatian attacking player moved to the English south coast from Sydney FC in the summer of 2025 and contributed five assists alongside his goals. While Segečić is known primarily for his pace and goal-scoring threat, Josh Murphy is one of the squad’s most experienced attacking players. The 31-year-old winger led the entire Championship in assists during the 2024/25 season with 14 and was subsequently named Portsmouth’s Player of the Year. Terry Devlin also plays a key role; the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international was voted Player of the Season by both fans and teammates during the last campaign, impressing with his versatility and five goals in 40 appearances.
1: Strictly speaking, Fratton Park isn’t in Fratton
Despite its name, the stadium is not located in the Fratton district but in the neighbouring area of Milton. It likely took its name from the nearby Fratton railway station. Due to its age and traditional appearance, fans affectionately call Fratton Park „The Old Girl.“
2: Reigning Cup holders for seven years
In 1939, Portsmouth won the FA Cup final 4–1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Because the competition was suspended during World War II, „Pompey“ remained the reigning FA Cup holders for seven years—longer than any other club.
3: „Pompey“ predates Portsmouth FC
The nickname „Pompey“ was already in use in the city before the current club was founded in 1898. Supporters of the military club Royal Artillery Portsmouth brought both the name and the later „Pompey Chimes“ chant with them to the new club.
4: Champions across all four professional leagues
Portsmouth is one of only five English clubs—alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, Preston North End, and Sheffield United—to have won the championship in all four professional leagues. Pompey completed this unique set of titles by winning League Two in 2017.
5: A close bond between the club crest and the port city
The crescent moon and star on the club crest are taken from Portsmouth’s coat of arms. The city’s maritime identity shapes the club’s own sense of self; this is even reflected in the mascot, Nelson, whose name commemorates Admiral Horatio Nelson.
For the second year in a row, the "Lilies" are holding their summer training camp in Bad Wörishofen in the Allgäu region. SV 98 will be hard at work in this Kneipp spa town until July 26th, preparing for the upcoming season. In our diary, we’ll take you along through the days at the training camp.
Markus Pfitzner commented on the summer pre-season, the current squad, and the final pieces of the puzzle—among other topics—on the sidelines of Friday's training session (July 24th). We have compiled the key statements made by the "Lilien" president from the training camp in Bad Wörishofen for you.
Sergio Lopez’s time at SV 98 is coming to an end after two years. The 27-year-old Spaniard is moving to FC Granada. The "Lilies" and the Spanish second-division club agreed on the transfer this Friday (July 24th).
For the second year in a row, the "Lilies" are holding their summer training camp in Bad Wörishofen in the Allgäu region. SV 98 will be hard at work in this Kneipp spa town until July 26th, preparing for the upcoming season. Through our diary, we’ll take you along for the journey during the training camp.
Ibrahim El Kadiri has been an SV 98 player for just under a month. We took the opportunity during the training camp to interview the skillful new signing.
For the second year in a row, the "Lilies" are holding their summer training camp in Bad Wörishofen in the Allgäu region. SV 98 will be hard at work in this Kneipp spa town until July 26th, preparing for the upcoming season. In our diary, we’ll take you along through the days at the training camp.
A training camp, a friendly match, and a blue-and-white presence in the Odenwald: there is plenty going on around SV 98 this week. The "Lilies" are continuing their intensive preparations for the new season in Bad Wörishofen until Sunday (July 26th), while also bonding as a team off the pitch. Saturday (July 25th) brings the next pre-season test: a match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Additionally, SV 98 will once again be represented at the Erbach Wiesenmarkt’s Family Day on Thursday (July 23rd). "Lilies Across the Board" brings you all the latest news from life at the club.
Taking the next step together: SV Darmstadt 98 and Klöber Versicherungsmakler GmbH are further expanding their partnership. The Darmstadt-based company, which has served as a "Top Partner" to the Lilien for the past two years, will now act as a "Premium Partner" of SV 98.
It’s cup time again! In the first round of the 2026/27 DFB-Pokal season, the Lilies will face FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the "City of Light" on Sunday, August 23, at 3:30pm. Here’s how you can be there for the away match: the pre-sale for members begins this coming Friday, July 24, at 12pm —available both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion. You can find all further details in this announcement.
A special experience awaits Darmstadt 98 fans: One week before the start of the season, SV Darmstadt 98 will host the traditional English club Portsmouth FC, and this year, once again, you have a very special opportunity. You can experience the match on Saturday (August 1st/2pm) from the exclusive 98ers' box on the upper level of the main stand at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor and enjoy an unforgettable home game with international guests and a fantastic atmosphere.
SV Darmstadt 98 and Sparkasse Darmstadt und Dieburg are further expanding their long-standing partnership. By becoming a premium partner, both parties are sending a clear message to the region: Together, they want to support young people, strengthen youth football, and offer even more opportunities for children and families in southern Hesse.
