Markus Pfitzner was elected unanimously as the new club president by the 378 members present at the annual general meeting (October 21st). The 56-year-old Darmstadt native, who has served on the executive committee since 2010, succeeds Rüdiger Fritsch, who did not run for re-election after 13 years and was bid farewell to thunderous applause at the meeting.
Wolfgang Arnold, long-time board member of the sports departments and the fan and supporter department, also declined to run again; the members elected Roy Reinelt-Peter as his successor. Anne Baumann (executive board member for finance) and Vice President Volker Harr were re-elected. Arnd Zinnhardt completes the executive board as another vice president. Fritsch and Arnold were duly recognized by speakers Hans Kessler (Honourary President) and Frank Wahl (Chairman of the Administrative Board). Both were also awarded honourary membership by the members. After 29 years of service on the executive board, Arnold also received the honor of honourary chairman of the board of the sports departments and the fan and supporter department.
We enter our term of office with the aim of securing the future viability and success of the association, preserving and further developing what we have achieved together.
Pfitzner: „I would like to thank all members for their election and the great trust they have placed in the Executive Board and me. I can rely on a team that has been closely associated with the Lilies for many years and brings a high level of expertise in their individual areas. We are entering our term of office with the aim of securing the club’s future viability and success, preserving and further developing what we have achieved together. On behalf of the Executive Board, I would like to thank Rüdiger and Wolfgang for their many years of trusting cooperation. The award of honorary membership is a well-deserved recognition of their services to SV 98.“
In the fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the club once again posted positive figures: Baumann announced a profit of €3.58 million after taxes. At the end of the reporting period, SV 98’s assets amounted to €26.11 million, with total income of €49.43 million.
At the suggestion of the club’s sports departments, the membership fee for active sports participants was also adjusted.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.