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.”
“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.