Test match success against the Bundesliga club. SV Darmstadt 98 won the duel against Mainz 05 1-0 (0-0). Kai Klefisch scored the decisive goal after 70 minutes.
After an even first few minutes, the Lilies had the first big opportunity on their side. After a counterattack via El Idrissi and Lopez, it was Papela (7th) who looked for a shot from around 16 meters and just missed the hosts‘ goal. In return, the Mainz team recorded their first attempt towards the Darmstadt goal. However, Onisiwo’s shot (8th) whizzed far past the goal. Afterwards, most of the action took place in the midfield, with no dangerous actions in either box. After 37 minutes, the Lopez-Papela combination caused danger again: After a corner from the full-back, the Lilies‘ No. 21 was free to head the ball. But Papela pushed the ball past the goal. The final chance of the first half was set by Onisiwo (41′), who was denied by Brunst’s save from a tight angle.
Onisiwo opened the second half of the game with a shot from close range in the 50th minute. If things got dangerous for the Bundesliga club up to that point, Mainz’s number 9 was involved. Onisiwo (55th) missed again a little later when he was unable to maneuver the ball onto the goal after a sharp cross. It could have also been a Lily goal on 64 minutes, but Lakenmacher was denied by the Mainz goalkeeper after a cross from Lidberg.
Klefisch did better in the 70th minute: After a cross from Stojilkovic, Lakenmacher extended the ball with a backheel. From close range, SV 98’s number 17 had no trouble pushing the ball over the line – 1-0 for the Lilies. The Bundesliga club’s response was not slow in coming. But Barkok (74′) shot just a few centimeters past the far post. On the other side, Marseiler or Stojilkovic could have increased the effort – but the attempts were too central, so keeper Rieß was able to parry. Therefore, the only goal of the game was scored by Kai Klefisch.
First Half: Brunst – Lopez, Bueno, Maglica, Hornby, Vukotic, Papela, Will (Kempe, 44), Corredor, Riedel, El Idrissi.
Second Half: Niemczycki – Lopez (Torsiello, 60), Bueno (Stojilkovic, 60), Maglica, Lidberg, Marseiler, Kempe, Müller, Lakenmacher, Papela (Klefisch, 60), Riedel (Gjasula, 60).
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.