How does Andreas Müller look at the 2-2 draw in Düsseldorf and the upcoming opponent SC Paderborn? And how does he see the interaction with his colleague Kai Klefisch in the central midfield of the Lilies? You can find out here. In our weekly section „Lilies across the Board“ We will provide you with all the information from SV Darmstadt 98's club life. Topics this week: The German U21 national team is testing at the Bölle, the start of the eLilien's competitive game and successful test games for the U21 Junglilien.
The Friday evening game at Fortuna Düsseldorf? “It was a typical game after the winter break, where both teams first had to see where they stood,” said Andreas Müller, a few days later. And the lessons from this game? “We have to quickly manage to push through our game with and against the ball and force it on the opponent,” explained the central midfielder in a media round on Wednesday (January 22nd). Will that be successful against SC Paderborn? Müller warns about the upcoming opponent that the Lilies will face on Sunday (January 26th/1:30pm) in their home Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor: “Paderborn is a top team that makes it into the upper reaches of the second division every year, which is good performance and scratch at the promotion places. They have a lot of individual quality, it will be hard work.”
I can't say a bad word about Kai.
He was only not used in the very first game of the season, but otherwise he was on the field in every second division game for SV Darmstadt 98. Andreas Müller – 17 second division games this season, 16 of them in the starting lineup. Together with Kai Klefisch, he forms the midfield centre of the Lilies. A partner with whom he gets along very well on the pitch. “I can’t say a bad word about Kai,” smiles Müller in a media round on Wednesday (January 22). “A few commands between us are enough for the other to know exactly what he has to do,” continued the number 16 of the Lilies.
International flair in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor: The German U21 national team comes to Darmstadt and plays a test match in the living room of SV Darmstadt 98. On Tuesday, March 25th, the DFB juniors will duel with the Spanish junior national team. Kick-off at the Bölle will sound at 8:30pm. The game serves as preparation for the upcoming U21 European Championship in the summer, which will take place in Slovakia. “Spain is an absolute benchmark for the U21s,” said Antonio Di Salvo on dfb.de about the friendly match. “We are playing against an attractive opponent in prime time and are looking forward to the atmospheric support of our fans in Darmstadt,” said the U21 national coach, full of anticipation. Tickets for Germany against Spain can be purchased from Thursday (January 23rd/12pm) via the DFB Ticketportal.
Fight for a place in the playoffs! That is the goal of the eFootballers of SV Darmstadt 98. After nine match days in the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL), the eLilien are in fifth place, which would entitle them to move into the VBL playoffs. It is now important to defend this – and, at best, even improve the ranking. The Darmstadt team will have the opportunity to do this on Wednesday evening (January 22nd) when they meet 1. FSV Mainz 05 on the virtual pitch in their first competitive game in 2025 from 9pm. The Rheinhessen are in fourth place in the table, just one point ahead. So, eLilien: get fourth place! You can watch the game on Livestream on the SV98 Twitch Channel. Or you can stop by the gaming lounge in the Loop5 shopping center in Weiterstadt.
Do you want to demonstrate your skills on the controller? No problem. The SV Darmstadt 98 eFootball team is hosting a wildcard tournament on Saturday, February 15th in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The tournament starts at 11am. In addition to the duels on the PlayStation, all participants can also enjoy a stadium tour. Meanwhile, the winners of the wildcard tournament can look forward to exclusive prizes. You can find more information and the link to register here.
The U21 of SV Darmstadt 98 started the new year with two successes. The Lilien Hessenliga team is currently still preparing for the winter for the remainder of the second half of the season. And in the first two test games of the new year, the South Hesse team were able to record two successes. While U21 coach Daniel Petrowsky’s team initially won 4-0 against FC Basara Mainz last Saturday (January 18th), this was followed by a 3-1 win against Titus Petingen II on Tuesday (January 21st). Now wait, there are three more test matches for the blue and whites before the competitive season starts again on February 16th. The upcoming U21 games at a glance:
| Date | Kick Off | Match | Competition |
| Saturday, 25.01.2025 | 1pm | SV Gonsenheim – U21 | Test Game |
| Saturday, 01.02.2025 | 2pm | U21 – VfR Wormatia Worms | Test Game |
| Saturday, 08.02.2025 | 1pm | U21 – VfB Bodenheim | Test Game |
| Sunday, 16.02.2025 | 2.30pm | U21 – VfB 1905 Marburg | Hessenliga |
| Saturday, 22.02.2025 | 2.30pm | FC Bayern Alzenau – U21 | Hessenliga |
| Wednesday, 26.02.2025 | 7.30pm | U21 – FC Eddersheim | Hessenliga |
Starting as a team manager at the Lilies, he has been working as a team manager at SV Darmstadt 98 since 2023: Matthias Neumann. Next Sunday (January 25th) “Matze” will celebrate its 34th birthday. We wish you all the best for your special day!
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.