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.”
Kick-off in the Odenwald, training camp again in the Allgäu
The first dates for SV 98's preparations for the 2026/27 second division season have been set: On June 25th, the professional team will return to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor to undergo various medical tests and performance diagnostics. The first team training session will take place on June 27th in the Odenwald region.
Cup draw on Saturday | Fan team remains in the B-League
Who will SV Darmstadt 98 face in the first round of the DFB Cup? This question will be answered this coming Saturday (June 6th). The draw for the first round will be broadcast live on ARD's Sportschau. We'll be taking a look and providing you with all the information. We'll also be celebrating with the fan team's survival in the Kreisklasse B (eighth tier) and taking a look across the border to Texas in the USA. All this and more for you in "Lilies Across the Board" on Wednesday.
Transfer News: Hornby moves to Wolfsburg
Fraser Hornby's time at Darmstadt 98 comes to an end after three years. The Scottish attacking midfielder is moving to VfL Wolfsburg. Both clubs have agreed to keep the transfer fee confidential.
Impressive run: U21 finishes season with a 5-3 victory
An eight-goal thriller to close out the season. The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team took to the pitch one last time this season on Saturday (May 30th) – away against FC Eddersheim. The young Lilies secured a 5-3 victory in Eddersheim, finishing the 2025/26 Hessenliga season in eleventh place. Even more remarkable, however, was the U21's run at the end of the season: the Blue and Whites won their last five matches, scoring an impressive 22 goals in the process.
“That makes me very happy and proud.”
Barcelona, Spain. A global city right on the Mediterranean. Over 1.7 million people live here. And one of them is Clemens Riedel. The 22-year-old former Darmstadt player moved from SV 98 to Espanyol Barcelona last summer – from youth academy to professional in the Spanish first division. We spoke with Riedel about his first year in Barcelona, the past season, and his still close ties to Darmstadt.
Contract Extended: Nürnberger stays in Darmstadt
SV 98 can continue to rely on the services of Fabian Nürnberger. The Lilies have extended the expiring contract with the Bulgarian international.
Transfer News: Purchase Option Activated, Dettoni remains at the Lilies.
Grayson Dettoni will continue to wear the SV 98 jersey. The Lilies have exercised their option to buy the defender, who was previously on loan from FC Bayern Munich.
Football ID Championship in Darmstadt | Members‘ Network Meeting
The German Football Championship for People with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) kicks off on Sunday – and it's taking place in Darmstadt's Bürgerpark! Last week, the Darmstadt 98ers' home ground offered a different kind of sporting event: a karate demonstration. We also take a look at the opponents for the new season and celebrate two birthdays this week. You'll find all this and much more about Darmstadt 98 in our usual "Lilies Across the Board".
5-1 in the last home game: U21 secures survival in the league
„I’m proud of you,“ were the words of U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt to the team after they secured their place in the Hessenliga. On Saturday (May 23rd), SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team had the chance to stay in the league against Turabdin Babylon Pohlheim – and they seized it impressively! The young Lilies delivered a convincing 5-1 goal fest, but at the same time still needed help from other teams to guarantee their survival. However, because their direct rivals, CSC 03 Kassel, narrowly lost in Stadtallendorf, the U21 team was finally able to celebrate.
Volunteer Award 2026: Haftpflichtkasse and SV 98 honour clubs
For the fourth time, the Haftpflichtkasse insurance company and SV Darmstadt 98 have jointly awarded four clubs with the Volunteer Award. The award ceremony, including the presentation of the checks, took place last Sunday (May 17th) before the home game against SC Paderborn at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The Volunteer Award, established in 2023 by the Haftpflichtkasse and SV Darmstadt 98, aims to strengthen volunteer engagement and promote outstanding projects.
