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 
Final rehearsal against Portsmouth FC
Darmstadt 98 will play their final pre-season friendly against English Championship side Portsmouth FC. The match will take place on August 1st at 2pm at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
For members: Season ticket sales start Friday
The season is currently suspended, and the start of the new second division season is still some time away. Nevertheless, attention is already turning to the upcoming season: Starting Friday (June 12th) at 12 noon, club members without a current season ticket can purchase their season ticket for the 2026/27 season. Tickets will be available both online and at the ticket office at the stadium.
‚Exemplary of the path we want to take‘
With the sales of Fraser Hornby and Isac Lidberg, SV 98 has generated considerable transfer revenue. We spoke with President Markus Pfitzner about the right moment for such transfers and the balancing act between financial stability and sporting ambition.
Lilies Across the Board: Traditional team in double action this weekend
This coming weekend (June 13th & 14th), the veterans team will be playing two matches. We'll give you all the details. We also celebrated two birthdays this week and have several events coming up. At the same time, we're keeping an eye on how our partner club, San Antonio FC, is doing. We've compiled all this and more for you in this edition of Lilies Across the Board.
Volunteers wanted for the new season
SV Darmstadt 98 is looking for enthusiastic Lilies fans for the new FuFa volunteer team. As a volunteer, you'll support fans and the club around match days and be right in the thick of things in and around the stadium. You can find all the information here.
First Lilien flea market in July
Browse, sell, and do good at the same time: On Sunday, July 12th, SV Darmstadt 98 is hosting its first Lilies flea market in the forecourt of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. With a focus on family, sustainability, and social cohesion, the event aims to give well-preserved items a second life.
Transfer News: Isac Lidberg leaves Darmstadt
Isac Lidberg is moving to the Bundesliga. SV 98 and Borussia Mönchengladbach have agreed on a transfer for the Swedish striker.
DFB-Pokal: Lilien Travel to Jena
The pairings for the first round of the DFB Cup have been drawn: SV Darmstadt 98 will face FC Carl Zeiss Jena away from home. The draw took place on Saturday evening (June 6th) at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. Under the supervision of DFB Vice President Peter Frymuth, Referee of the Year 2026, Deniz Aytekin, who acted as the draw's host live on ARD, drew the match between Darmstadt and Jena.
Successful German Football ID Championship in Darmstadt
From the warm opening ceremony to the awards ceremony: The German Football ID Championship in Darmstadt offered exciting games, many wonderful encounters and a well-deserved German champion in the Hesse selection, which also included players from the SV 98 ID team.
Kick-off in the Odenwald, training camp again in the Allgäu
The first dates for SV 98's preparations for the 2026/27 second division season have been set: On June 25th, the professional team will return to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor to undergo various medical tests and performance diagnostics. The first team training session will take place on June 27th in the Odenwald region.
Cup draw on Saturday | Fan team remains in the B-League
Who will SV Darmstadt 98 face in the first round of the DFB Cup? This question will be answered this coming Saturday (June 6th). The draw for the first round will be broadcast live on ARD's Sportschau. We'll be taking a look and providing you with all the information. We'll also be celebrating with the fan team's survival in the Kreisklasse B (eighth tier) and taking a look across the border to Texas in the USA. All this and more for you in "Lilies Across the Board" on Wednesday.
