Gold Cup 2025! And a Lily is there. Jean-Paul Boëtius will be participating in the continental championship for North, Central America, and the Caribbean with Suriname—the birthplace of his parents. We spoke with him before the first group match against Costa Rica (June 16th, 5am German time) about this very match, the tournament, and a football-mad Suriname.
sv98.de: Djanga, you made your debut for Suriname against El Salvador. Can you briefly explain how you came to play for the Suriname national team?
Jean-Paul Boëtius: My parents were born and raised in Suriname. Later, they moved to the Netherlands, where I was born and raised. Accordingly, I played for the Netherlands as a youth player and later even played a game for the senior national team. Of course, it was my dream back then to play more games for the Netherlands. But that’s how it is sometimes in life… In 2018, I spoke to the Surinamese FA for the first time, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure about it at the time. Now – six or seven years later – I could say „yes“ with complete conviction. I’m very proud to now play for the Suriname national team.
How did the first international match feel?
Suriname’s first international match was very, very nice. The atmosphere in the stadium was completely different from a league match in Germany, but it was still great. Thanks again to the fans. For me personally, it was my first competitive match in weeks, as I unfortunately missed the last two matches against Darmstadt due to injury. But I feel good again, I’m fit, and I gave everything for my country – and I think I also played a good game in the defensive midfield position (smiles). With the 1-1 draw against El Salvador, we’re still top of our World Cup qualifying group, which was important.
Is Suriname a football-mad country? Have you received a lot of messages and reactions?
Suriname is a very football-mad country. The country doesn’t have many inhabitants, only around 600,000. But Suriname is very proud, as you could see at our home games. Of course, I received reactions and messages. But it hasn’t reached the same proportions as, for example, in Indonesia, where you suddenly have a million new followers (laughs).
Now the Gold Cup awaits you, essentially the European Championship for North, Central America, and the Caribbean. How excited are you and the team?
We’re really looking forward to the Gold Cup. Suriname hasn’t participated in this tournament that often. Accordingly, we and the entire country are very proud to be participating in the Gold Cup. We hope we make it through the group stage well.
You’re playing in San Diego and then two games in the massive AT&T Stadium, usually home to the Dallas Cowboys. It should be something special.
The stadium in Dallas is huge, that’s true. I know it from the NFL. When we play against Mexico there, you can expect the stadium to be sold out. I’m looking forward to it. Of course, I’ve played in big stadiums before, but this will certainly be a different story.
Your opponents in the preliminary round are Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Sounds like a tough group. How do you see your opponents and how do you rate your chances?
We’re in a difficult group, where Mexico is obviously the favourite. Costa Rica is also a strong opponent, and the Dominican Republic shouldn’t be underestimated either. Both Costa Rica and we are a good team with good players. We’ll face them in our first game, which will be a very important one. I think the match with Costa Rica, in particular, will be very decisive for the rest of the group stage.
Thanks for the interview, Djanga. We wish you much success at the Gold Cup!
For the second year in a row, the "Lilies" are holding their summer training camp in Bad Wörishofen in the Allgäu region. SV 98 will be hard at work in this Kneipp spa town until July 26th, preparing for the upcoming season. In our diary, we’ll take you along through the days at the training camp.
A special experience awaits Darmstadt 98 fans: One week before the start of the season, SV Darmstadt 98 will host the traditional English club Portsmouth FC, and this year, once again, you have a very special opportunity. You can experience the match on Saturday (August 1st/2pm) from the exclusive 98ers' box on the upper level of the main stand at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor and enjoy an unforgettable home game with international guests and a fantastic atmosphere.
SV Darmstadt 98 and Sparkasse Darmstadt und Dieburg are further expanding their long-standing partnership. By becoming a premium partner, both parties are sending a clear message to the region: Together, they want to support young people, strengthen youth football, and offer even more opportunities for children and families in southern Hesse.
During the afternoon session, Paul Fernie commented on various personnel matters. We have summarised his statements for you.
SV 98 will welcome a new face at their training camp in Bad Wörishofen. The Lilies have signed Carlo Sickinger from SV Elversberg.
SV Darmstadt 98's first away match of the 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season takes them to the Saxon capital: As part of the second matchday, the Lilies will face SG Dynamo Dresden on Sunday (August 16th) at 1:30pm. Here's how you can be there: Member pre-sale for this match starts next Wednesday (July 22nd) at 12pm – both online and at the ticket office at the Merck Stadium. You can find all further information in this announcement.
The U21 team of SV Darmstadt 98 can welcome a familiar face to their ranks for the upcoming season: Yannick Stark will play for the Lilies in the Hessenliga in the future.
SV Darmstadt 98 won their fourth pre-season friendly. The Lilies defeated regional league side FC-Astoria Walldorf 4-1 (0-0) after 120 minutes.
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.