After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
„I love playing here at this wonderful venue. I have great respect for Dynamo: playing like this in a relegation battle isn’t common, it deserves recognition. Nevertheless, we put in a good away performance. We knew Dynamo would come out with a lot of energy. Despite that, we managed to gain control and had two great chances through Schmidt and Akiyama. Great respect also goes to my team for how we played as if it were a draw, even at 3-0 down. That shows the mentality of my team. I’m also happy for Furu that he scored his first goal. To address the elephant in the room: I never said anything to the referee during my time at Darmstadt, but this time I have to say it objectively: the referee decided the game today because he fundamentally misjudged two situations. In the first situation with Isac, which was a deliberate hold, no Dynamo player could intervene. With Paddy’s foul, two players were in close proximity. It is an absolute outrage that a red card is awarded in this situation.“
„A compliment to my team for the way we won the game. Even in the second half, when you can easily collapse after your own red card, we didn’t fall apart. We had a very good spell in terms of possession. Then we made it 3-0. We’re happy to take the three points. I assess both situations the same way as Flo and understand the frustration 100 percent. We often lack consistency, and that was the case again today.“
„We took the task very well until the sending-off. Keller’s action, where he pulled Isac, warrants a red card. Since the supposed red card against Paddy (Pfeiffer) wasn’t right in my opinion, it was a double wrong decision. Unfortunately, that decided the game. It’s a shame because Dresden plays incredible football; it’s so much fun to play here with this atmosphere. It’s bitter that the game is then influenced by such a decision.
We tried everything, but there are these games where you feel like nothing’s going right. Even with the third goal, when I made the save in a one-on-one and the ball then fell right to the Dresden player’s feet. Nevertheless, after it was 3-1, suddenly 30,000 people thought we could still turn the game around. We get to play eleven against eleven again next week, and then we’ll try everything again.“
„Losing never feels good. In the first half, we were the better team until the sending-off. We created three or four good chances in the first 40 minutes. Then the referee gave us a red card. I don’t think it was a red card, but I haven’t seen it on video yet. In the remaining five minutes before halftime, there was a lot of disarray, and that’s how we conceded two goals. Then it was difficult in the second half. But we’re a solid team and have a good mindset. We lost today, but it won’t knock us down. We’ll learn from it and shake it off.“
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.