Home game at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. On Easter Sunday (April 20th at 1:30pm), the Lilies will host Hannover 96 in the 30th matchday of the second division. This very topic was already discussed on Thursday (April 17th) during the press conference with Florian Kohfeldt. We've summarised the most important statements from the Darmstadt head coach for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader, Paul Will, Christoph Zimmermann, Othmane El Idrissi, and Meldin Dreskovic are unavailable. Fraser Hornby has returned to full training. Kai Klefisch returned to training this week, but is not yet a candidate for Sunday. Philipp Förster is out due to a yellow card suspension.
We’ve managed to develop a very good feeling at home throughout the entire season. This has been clearly demonstrated by our last three clean sheets at home. The atmosphere is great; we feel at home at Bölle. We’re looking forward to playing at home again.
We’re facing a good opponent who went unbeaten for an extremely long time at the start of the second half of the season. They may have lost their last two games, but they’re still in the promotion race and only four points behind the relegation playoff spot. Hannover has many experienced players who are at a very high level – like Halstenberg, Zieler, Neumann, Leopold, Kunze, Tresoldi. These are names that belong in the top tier of the 2. Bundesliga. Hannover comes to Darmstadt with the motto: „Last Chance.“ Therefore, I expect a totally energetic opponent who will do everything they can to win this game. They are very dangerous from set pieces and have the best defence in the league.
We always look at a team’s characteristics. And you don’t do the team justice by looking solely at the number of goals they’ve scored. Especially under André, they’re very focused on playing quickly and purposefully up front with excellent positional play. They have a lot of counterattacks with their strikers and always have a good box line-up. We have to be very vigilant there.
It will be a game that will demand everything from us. Set pieces will be key, both offensively and defensively – both corners and free kicks. But it will also depend on who controls the transition phases better. Both teams have a basic approach of playing the ball more offensively when playing with the ball. This creates space. Therefore, the remaining defense and positional play in transition will also be crucial. The game will likely be decided by small details. I don’t see one team having a clear advantage. It will depend on seizing the right momentum.
Our results have stabilised over the past few weeks – with the exception of the game against Ulm. We want to continue this consistent scoring streak. We must remain vigilant and still need points. Our personnel options have increased again. This also increases the likelihood of points. Therefore, we have a lot to play for again. Overall, we have managed to keep our performance stable throughout the second half of the season – even if it hasn’t been a successful second half in terms of points. The team is focused and ready. It’s energetic and positive. Everyone knows that we still need points. Even if we don’t need them, we would still want them. The team knows that a lot is at stake. This positive tension is good.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.