„A cup battle that we embraced and won“
The Lilies have reached the second round after a hard-fought cup match in Jena. We’ve rounded up the post-match reactions for you.
21.08.2026 / English
Statement on fan criticism of VAR
It was announced yesterday, Thursday (August 20th), that organised fan groups across Germany are planning major protests against the video assistant referee (VAR) during the first round of the cup competition. The SV 98 fan base has also stated that it will participate in these protests during the Lilies match against Carl Zeiss Jena. SV Darmstadt 98 fully understands the reasons behind the protests and is in complete agreement with the views expressed on many points.
Markus Pfitzner: “VAR was introduced nine years ago to correct clear errors and thereby make football fairer. While that original intention was entirely understandable, we must now acknowledge that we are a long way from actually achieving that goal. Instead, VAR often strips football of the spontaneous emotion that is such a vital part of the sport—and of German professional football in particular. At the same time, VAR frequently sparks debate, as many decisions remain difficult to comprehend and the on-field referee’s authority is undermined. In our view, decisions involving goal-line technology or clear-cut offside calls are exceptions, as these allow for a decision to be reached very quickly and without room for interpretation. For these reasons, we would welcome limiting VAR to precisely those types of decisions.”
Lilies Reach 2nd Round of the Cup
SV 98 has secured a spot in the next round of the DFB-Pokal. The Lilies won 2–1 (2–1) away at FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Milan Smit (11th minute) and Lance Duijvestijn (41st minute) sealed the victory against the Regionalliga side.
Team News: Starting Debut for Merx
Cup action for the Lilies. In the first round of the DFB-Pokal, SV 98 are away at FC Carl Zeiss Jena (August 23, 3:30pm). Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting lineup compared to the match in Dresden: Manolo Merx starts in place of Yosuke Furukawa, and Raoul Petretta starts instead of Florian Kleinhansl. Hiroki Akiyama is missing from the squad following a relapse due to illness.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Jena Game
Cup action awaits! On Sunday (August 23, 3:30pm), the Lilies kick off their campaign in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The trip takes them to the ad hoc arena at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in Jena—Thuringia’s "City of Light." What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match? And where can you follow the action? As always, we’ve gathered all the key information about the game against Carl Zeiss Jena for you in "Matchday Guide."
Opposition Check: Carl Zeiss Jena
Floodlights illuminate the pitch at Düsseldorf’s Rheinstadion as the FC Carl Zeiss Jena players step onto the field on May 13, 1981. Behind them lies a European campaign that has long since made football history: coach Hans Meyer’s team had already overcome AS Roma, Valencia CF, Newport County, and Benfica on their journey through the European Cup Winners' Cup. Now, just 90 minutes stand between them and ultimate triumph. Waiting on the other side is Dinamo Tbilisi. It is the biggest European night in the club's history—and even though it ends in a 2 - 1 defeat, this extraordinary journey remains inextricably linked to FC Carl Zeiss Jena to this day.
„I love this competition“
Ahead of the cup match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena (August 23, 3:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered questions from the assembled journalists at the press conference. We have summarised the key statements made by the Lilien coach prior to the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
Facts & Figures: Key Stats about the Jena Match
On Sunday, SVD faces FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB-Pokal season. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams in this competition. You can find all further facts and figures regarding the match here.
Fan information for the cup match in Jena
On Sunday (August 23rd), we will be playing away against FC Carl Zeiss Jena at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. Together with you, we aim to advance to the next round of the DFB-Pokal. As always, here is all the organisational information regarding the cup match in Jena:
A forum for meeting and getting to know one another
For many years, the Lilien sponsors' summer party has been a fixture on the SV Darmstadt 98 summer calendar. For this year's event, the club headed to the Ried region—specifically to the Coreum in Stockstadt am Rhein. Together with more than 400 guests, the Lilien enjoyed an evening that was both informative and entertaining, and which flew by in a flash.
Starting Friday: Member pre-sale for Wolfsburg
Our third away match of the new season takes us to Lower Saxony. We will be visiting VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 6. Here’s how you can be there to support the team: the pre-sale for members begins this coming Friday (August 21) at 12pm – both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion.
BoxKlub Martinsviertel invites you to an open event.
On September 3rd, children, young people, and their parents can find out about the new offering and get some hands-on experience with the punching bag.
U21’s misses out on late winner
SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team drew 1–1 (1–0) away at KSV Baunatal. After taking the lead through Yannick Stark, the "Lilies" conceded an equaliser shortly after the break. Patrick Kurt’s side dominated proceedings for much of the remainder of the match but, despite numerous attacking forays, failed to score the decisive goal.