Foto: SV 98 26.06.2024 / English
Papela joins the Lilien
SV Darmstadt 98 has secured the services of a dynamic midfielder: Merveille Papela is joining the Lilies on a free transfer. The 23-year-old was active for 1. FSV Mainz 05 last season.
Paul Fernie: “Merveille Papela expands our options in midfield because he is characterised by his high dynamism and ball winning rate. With his pace and quickness of action, he will also be able to help us in pressing moments. We are convinced that Darmstadt is the right place for Merveille to fully develop.”
Torsten Lieberknecht: “Merveille has already gained experience in the Bundesliga and 2nd league, and at the age of 23 he still has potential for further development steps. I am pleased that he will be able to attend large parts of the first training camp so that he can get to know our processes and the team.”
Merveille Papela: “I like what has been built here in Darmstadt in the last few years. It’s not for nothing that they were competitors in the fight to stay in the Bundesliga last season. I am now happy to be part of the club and the team and am positively looking forward to what awaits me in the first session with the club.”
Papela played for Mainz 05’s youth teams from 2011 to 2019. The Mainz native also spent his professional time – interrupted by a one-year loan at the then second division club SV Sandhausen – exclusively with the Rheinhessen team. Papela played in eleven Bundesliga games and one game in the DFB Cup for FSV last season. He played 20 second division games for SVS. Papela also played through all of the DFB national teams from U15 to U20. In total he has 28 international matches at youth level.
Papela will wear the number 21 shirt for SV 98.
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
A Victory for the Group
SV 98 finally secured their long-awaited victory on Friday evening. While the team from southern Hesse didn't exactly put on a dazzling display of football against Arminia Bielefeld, their pragmatic approach and strong mentality earned them three points. It was a success whose foundation had been laid in the preceding days.
„A huge weight has been lifted from our shoulders.“
The long-awaited three points are finally here! In a hard-fought but also disjointed match on Friday evening, Darmstadt showed character and didn't let setbacks get them down, even if not everything went perfectly during the 90 minutes. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Lilies finally secure their long-awaited three points!
A crucial home win for Darmstadt! SV Darmstadt 98 defeated Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 (1-0). Lee (3') gave the home side an early lead, and after the visitors from East Westphalia equalised, Smit (86') sealed the victory with a penalty.
Team News: Returning Richter Starts
Darmstadt host Arminia Bielefeld. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the defeat in Kaiserslautern. Carlo Sickinger starts in place of Hiroki Akiyama, who is out with a thigh injury. Returning player Marco Richter replaces Lars Kehl in the starting eleven, and Hojae Lee starts instead of Lance Duijvestijn.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Bielefeld Game
Floodlight Friday! On Friday evening (Sept. 11, 6:30pm), SV 98 takes on Arminia Bielefeld in Matchday 5 action. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match? And where can you follow the game? As always, we’ve gathered all the key information about the match against Bielefeld for you in "Matchday Guide."
Fan Information: Arminia Bielefeld (H)
For the upcoming home match on Friday (September 11, 2026, at 6:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Starting this season, we are introducing dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance offering easier access at Karl-Hess-Platz.
A counter-attack seals the deal.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team won 3-1 (0-0) against SV Rot-Weiss Walldorf. In a heated match, Patrick Kurt's team prevailed and remain undefeated at home.
„No doubt, but we must be aware of the situation.“
Ahead of the first evening match of the season against Arminia Bielefeld (September 11th, 6:30pm), our head coach Florian Kohfeldt spoke about returning player Marco Richter, the bond between fans and the team, and the upcoming opponent. We've summarised the most important points for you here:
Opposition Check: Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld hosted SV Arminia Hannover and delivered a performance that remains unmatched to this day. DSC Bielefeld swept aside their opponents with an 11-0 victory. It was not only an extraordinary rout, but also remains the biggest win in the history of the 2. Bundesliga.
Bundesliga schedules matchdays 7 to 13
On Thursday (September 10), the Bundesliga finalised the exact scheduling for Matchdays 7 through 13. For Matchday 7, we host Energie Cottbus on a Saturday. A week later, we travel on a Sunday to face Karlsruher SC at the Wildpark, before welcoming FC St. Pauli to the Böllenfalltor for a Friday evening match under the floodlights on Matchday 9. The following two matchdays—at home against Magdeburg and away in Nürnberg—are both scheduled for Saturdays. Matchdays 12 and 13 will subsequently take place on Friday evenings.
Transfer News: Richter returns to SV 98
A familiar face is returning to SV 98: The "Lilies" have signed Marco Richter. The 28-year-old previously played for the South Hessian club on loan last season. Richter had agreed to the termination of his contract with 1. FSV Mainz 05 on September 1st, making it possible to sign the attacking midfielder even after the transfer window had closed.
Ten-year anniversary: Sirigu remembers his derby goal
September 10th marks the tenth anniversary of a very special moment in the recent history of SV Darmstadt 98. During the Hessian derby against Eintracht Frankfurt on that day in 2016, Sandro Sirigu scored the decisive goal—and secured an unforgettable 1–0 home victory for the Lilien—shortly before the final whistle with a delivery that was actually intended as a cross. Ten years later, we spoke with him again about that special goal, his memories of his time at the Bölle, and his enduringly close connection to SV 98.