Foto: SV 98 17.05.2026 / English
Season Ends in Defeat
They tried everything, but the goal just wouldn't come: Darmstadt lost 2-0 (1-0) to SC Paderborn. This means SV 98 finishes the 2025/26 season in fifth place with 52 points. Fabian Holland played 69 minutes in his final match for Darmstadt.
In the final match of the season, Darmstadt had their first good chance after just four minutes: Isac Lidberg fired a shot on the turn, hitting the inside of the post, but the ball bounced. The visitors from Paderborn did better two minutes later: Marino beat his marker in the penalty area and fired into the near corner with 6 minutes on the clock.
The game remained largely balanced for the remainder of the match, although the home side created the better opportunities. After 25 minutes, Darmstadt combined beautifully into the penalty area, and following a one-two with Lidberg, Kilian Corredor curled the ball towards the far corner, only to be narrowly denied by a save from the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Marco Richter tried his luck in the box, but his unconventional effort sailed just wide of the far post.
Even in the final minutes before halftime, the visitors from southern Hesse had almost exclusively the shots on goal, but first Lidberg missed after a cross on 40 minutes and then Richter’s powerful shot from a tight angle was saved by the keeper, two minutes later. An equaliser would have been entirely deserved by this point, yet the teams went into the break trailing by a single goal.
After the restart, the pattern continued: Darmstadt pressed for the equaliser, created chances, but initially failed to capitalise. Three minutes after the restart, a long ball from Marcel Schuhen slipped through completely, but Corredor, with only the goalkeeper to beat, was denied. Six minutes later, Niklas Schmidt tried his luck from distance, but the ball was too central and Seimen gathered it on the second attempt.
After an hour, the visitors were awarded a penalty with their first attack in the Darmstadt penalty area, but Bilbija’s spot-kick struck the crossbar. But Darmstadt continued to create chance after chance, with Lidberg twice denied by the goalkeeper from close range in the 72nd minute. Two minutes later, Kai Klefisch came close to scoring a goal of the month contender, but his powerful long-range shot only rattled the crossbar.
One minute before the final whistle, the visitors capitalised on a Darmstadt mistake and Michel sealed the 2-0 victory as he slotted home.
Pictures from the Game
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
“Our belief in this path is immense.”
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Outnumbered: Lilies Lose to 96ers
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Team News: Three Changes in the Starting XI
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Hannover Game
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
Transfer News: Mikelbrencis strengthens SV 98
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
“I’d be up for it”
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
Opposition Check: Hannover 96
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
Jonathan Heimes Square is officially opened
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Facts & Figures: The top stats about the Hannover game
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
Fan Information for the Home Game against Hannover
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
Good morning! | Riedel against Real
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
Tour of Historic Venues
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.