Disappointment in football has different forms and origins. You can assume that you have not reached the level that you had planned before a competition. They can result from one mistake or wrong decision that affects the course of a crucial encounter. Or it arises because a really good performance was ultimately not enough to win. After a game after which you can hardly blame yourself for anything and yet you weren't rewarded with the right result. The latter form of dissatisfaction also hurts. However, it always contains a multitude of positive facets that give the existing discontent a colour that makes it much easier to take the next steps.
We have shown the face we want to show
“We showed the face we wanted to show,” said Paul Will after the final whistle. The midfield engine was of course not referring to the disappointed facial expressions of himself or his teammates after the final whistle, but rather characterised the performance that SV 98 had shown in the home game against 1. FC Nürnberg. A performance that deserved three points, but ultimately only resulted in one. At the same time it should represent an important step for the further course of the season.
“We played a really good game, had a lot of chances to score, played courageously, the pressing worked really well.” Will’s statements are backed up by numbers. The Lilies recorded 62 percent possession, won 53 percent of duels, had 19 shots on goal and collected 13 corners. Statistics that only belong to a draw in a few cases.
“It was just banal things that we have to do better,” summarised Will. What the 25-year-old meant specifically: tactics, structure, starting behavior, coordination and communication. SV 98 was able to put a check on all of these things on Sunday. However, there was still room for improvement when it came to exploiting opportunities and exploiting offensive standards. “Complaining at a high level,” Will called the critical points of his game analysis, which he rounded off succinctly: “We just have to add the second goal.”
The Lilies missed another goal in numerous actions, the guests from Nürnberg equalised after a good hour with a dream goal. Nevertheless, this performance gives a lot of encouragement for the rest of the season. “We are disappointed with the result, but not with the way we played football,” explained Torsten Lieberknecht, also classifying the events with a view to the season so far: “We have shown that our development is continuing to progress. Things are really coming together.”
The Lilies have improved their performance with each week, and now it’s time to get their first win of the season in the league. If the Darmstadt team maintain their level from the Nürnberg game, it should happen very soon. An assessment that Will also shares: “With such a performance we will be successful in the near future. There’s no other way.”
Especially since the southern Hessians are still far from reaching their limit after the upheaval in the summer. “There are many processes that need to continue to evolve. Where you get to know each other even better in the game. This will get even better, I promise. With every week we play together.”
The away game in Elversberg awaits Will & Co. next weekend. Combined with the hope that the faces after the final whistle will also express what all the Lilies want to see. A broad victorious smile.
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.