04.06.2026 / English
Successful German Football ID Championship in Darmstadt
From the warm opening ceremony to the awards ceremony: The German Football ID Championship in Darmstadt offered exciting games, many wonderful encounters and a well-deserved German champion in the Hesse selection, which also included players from the SV 98 ID team.
The German Football Championship for People with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) concluded on Wednesday (June 3rd) after four wonderful days. Before the championship matches between the German states took place from Monday (June 1st) to Wednesday in Darmstadt’s Bürgerpark, the opening ceremony was held on Sunday evening (May 31st) at the Achtzehn98 Beach Club Restaurant, located near the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Teams from Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Saarland, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Bavaria participated.
At the start of the event, Michael Trippel, Sports Director of the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (Hessischer Behinderten- und Rehabilitations Sportverband e.V.), the long-standing cooperation partner of Darmstadt 98 and the event’s organiser, welcomed all the guests. Darmstadt’s Mayor Hanno Benz and Darmstadt 98 President Markus Pfitzner then addressed the participants.
In addition, there was a panel discussion with former SV Darmstadt 98 player and coach Gerhard Kleppinger, former SV Darmstadt 98 and 1. FC Nürnberg player Christian Wiesner, as well as Markus Pfitzner and Hanno Benz. The discussion was moderated by Harald Stenger, the former press officer of the German Football Association (DFB).
At the end of the event, Alberto Colucci, after having already performed two songs, returned to the stage to sing the Darmstadt 98 anthem, „Die Sonne scheint“ (The Sun Shines). His infectious good humor encouraged everyone to clap and sing along, bringing smiles to the faces of all those present.
Hesse team wins for the sixth time
The tournament kicked off on Monday. As a co-organiser, SV Darmstadt 98 provided a food and drink stand each day and, on Tuesday after the matches, organised a social evening for all participants, including a stadium tour of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Fair, but tough and passionate: that’s probably the best way to describe the tournament from a sporting perspective. During the matches, the teams gave it their all, but after the final whistle, fairness and respect were always paramount.
On Wednesday, the final match of the tournament took place between the select teams from Saxony-Anhalt and Hesse. Hesse needed a win to secure their sixth German Championship title, and they achieved it impressively. The team in blue and white celebrated wildly after the final whistle. Shortly afterward, the awards ceremony took place. Markus Pfitzner presented the teams with their well-deserved trophies and awarded medals to the players of the top three teams.
SV Darmstadt 98 congratulates the Hessian team on their sixth German Championship title in Intellectual Disability Football (ID).
Markus Pfitzner: “It was a fantastic experience for me to be the patron of the German ID Championships. I was able to watch several matches. But it wasn’t just the sport itself; the camaraderie and enthusiasm were also extraordinary. The atmosphere in the Bürgerpark was also fantastic. Everyone involved played a wonderful tournament. Our cooperation with the HBRS (Hessian Disability Sports Association) couldn’t be closer or better. Therefore, I am very happy to have been able to support the event as patron and, on the other hand, to present the well-deserved trophy to Team Hesse, which includes two of our Darmstadt 98 ID players, and then to congratulate Team Hesse on their well-earned victory.”
„We want to continue this path in Karlsruhe“
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
Fan Information for the Karlsruhe Game
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
The largest team photo in the history of the Lilien enters its second round
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
Facts & Figures: The Top Facts before the Karlsruhe Game
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
Stolperstein tour commemorates Jewish club members
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
New breadth for the future and commemorating the past
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Secure your tickets now: Home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on general sale.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
Well-deserved victory for the Young Lilies
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
With the right mindset and positive development
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
Krombacher Böllenfalltor-GOAL-Bonus
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
„Didn’t lose our heads after falling behind early“
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: