Open letter from the Presidium
On the occasion of the confirmed relegation of the Lilies, the executive board of SV Darmstadt 98 addressed the public with an open letter.
15.04.2024 / English
Sad news: Long injury lay-off for Fabian Holland
The fears have been confirmed: Fabian Holland suffered a torn cruciate ligament and medial ligament in the home game against SC Freiburg (April 14). The 33-year-old sustained the injury in a duel in the second half. The Lilies team captain will be out for months and will also miss large parts of next season. The further procedure and timing of the operation will be decided in the coming days.
Torsten Lieberknecht: „I’m incredibly sorry for Fabi that his season is ending in this way. For all of us at the club, but especially for him, the diagnosis is of course an absolute shock that we now have to digest. We will support Fabi in every possible way during the upcoming period and initially keep our fingers crossed for the operation.“
The entire club wishes Fabian Holland a lot of strength and a full recovery. You can do it, club legend!
Opposition Check: VfL Wolfsburg
What has to happen for one of the largest Spanish daily newspapers to print the following sentence? “Wolfsburg in the style of Real Madrid!” That was the headline in the newspaper “El Mundo” during the 2014/15 season. VfL had just spectacularly defeated FC Bayern Munich 4-1. “Suddenly Wolfsburg appeared and messed up Bayern’s film,” the Spanish reporters continued in their text. The Lower Saxony team were currently Bayern's number one hunters – well on the way to perhaps even becoming FCB's worst competitor?
When the day comes
“If you know that this day is coming, you can prepare for it to some extent,” said Torsten Lieberknecht in front of rolling TV cameras. At this point late on Sunday evening, there was already certainty in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, which was filled with dejected people, hanging heads and sad faces. The 0-1 defeat against 1. FC Heidenheim sealed SV Darmstadt 98's relegation from the 1st Bundesliga. “But when that day comes, everything you thought about beforehand is gone,” continued the Lilien head coach: “Because it’s just a rubbish moment.”
“It’s a rubbish feeling”
The result this Sunday means that SV Darmstadt 98's Bundesliga journey is coming to an end. In the coming season, the Lilies will compete in the second Bundesliga. We have summarised here what the Darmstadt protagonists said in front of the microphones after the 0-1 defeat against 1. FC Heidenheim.
Relegation Confirmed
The Lilies lose their home game, so it's clear: SV 98 will play in the 2. Bundesliga again next season. The match against 1. FC Heidenheim ended 0-1 (0-0).
Four Changes in the Starting XI
Torsten Lieberknecht has to change his starting lineup to four positions compared to the away win at 1. FC Köln. In addition to Aaron Seydel, Clemens Riedel and Klaus Gjasula, Matthias Bader is also out for the duel with 1. FC Heidenheim with a broken nose. Luca Pfeiffer, Christoph Zimmermann, Jannik Müller and Emir Karic move into the starting line-up to replace the injured quartet. Asaf Arania from the U19 is in the Lilies' competitive squad for the first time.
Matchday Compact: All Information for the Heidenheim game
After the away win in Köln now comes our home game with Heidenheim. On Sunday evening (April 28th/7:30pm) the SVD finally wants to win again in front of their own crowd. It is clear that this will not be an easy task against 1. FC Heidenheim, but Torsten Lieberknecht's team still wants to give the lily fans their second win in a row. Before the Bölle gets down to business, we will provide you with all the information about the duel between the Lilies and the guests from Heidenheim.
Figures & facts: The top facts about the Heidenheim game
Next Sunday (April 28th/7:30pm) SV Darmstadt 98 will face fellow promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim. After Torsten Lieberknecht's team finally celebrated another victory in the Rhineland last week, they should also be able to do it at home this week. With a win of their own and some help, the Heidenheimers could stay in the league three match days before the end. But before the Lilies meet Frank Schmidt and “his” Heidenheimers, you will find all the important facts about the game here. What gives hope for the second win in a row? What are the strengths of the people of Baden-Württemberg? And which lily became a professional in Heidenheim? You can find out in our top facts about the game.
“I still look forward to every matchday”
About the success in Köln, the upcoming duel with 1. FC Heidenheim (April 28th/7:30pm) and the staff: Torsten Lieberknecht answered questions about these and other topics at the press conference on Friday (April 26th). We have put together the most important statements from the head coach for you.
Organisational information for the home game against Heidenheim
On Sunday (April 28th/7:30pm) SV Darmstadt 98 welcomes 1. FC Heidenheim and asks you to pay attention to the following information.
Youth Performance Centre: Björn Müller remains sporting director
Continuity in the Lilies' Youth Performance Centre: Björn Müller has extended his contract as sporting director of the youth performance center (NLZ) for the long term. The new contract is now valid until June 30, 2027. Müller has been working in this position since June 2022.
Sports court ruling: SV 98 waives the appeal
In February, SV 98 lodged an objection against a ruling by the DFB sports court due to the use of pyrotechnic material over 43,000 euros (away game in Stuttgart on September 22, 2023) for fundamental reasons. This objection was rejected at a hearing on April 5th. In addition, in another case, SV 98 was fined 2,000 euros for unauthorised entry onto the pitch by several people at the home game against Leipzig (October 21, 2023). The SV 98 had already communicated to the oral hearing that the implementation of a possible appeal procedure would be dependent on the written reasons for the judgment.