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!
The draw for the second round of the DFB-Pokal has taken place: SV Darmstadt 98 will play away at SV Elversberg. This was the result of the draw held at the German Football Museum on Saturday evening (September 5th), featuring "draw master" Bastian Schweinsteiger and broadcast live on ARD's Sportschau.
A solid first half, including a missed penalty and a bitter goal just before the halftime whistle. And a second half that left everyone involved fuming afterward. In the end, a deserved defeat was recorded, and the Darmstadt players were correspondingly self-critical. Here are the reactions to the 3 - 0 loss at 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Darmstadt 98 will return to southern Hesse empty-handed: 1. FC Kaiserslautern secured a 3-0 (1-0) victory on Saturday afternoon. Sauer (43') scored from close range just before halftime, and in the 64th minute, the Red Devils added another through Tazemeta. Berisha then sealed the win in stoppage time (90+4). Darmstadt 98 remain on just one point after four matchdays this season.
Darmstadt 98 travel to Betzenberg for their fourth matchday away at 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the Hannover 96 game. Kai Klefisch returns to the starting eleven after serving his suspension, with Nicolas Verkooijen initially taking a place on the bench. Yannik Lührs replaces the suspended Aleksandar Vukotic, while Lars Kehl comes in for Yosuke Furukawa. It will be the first start for both players. William Mikelbrencis is in the squad for the first time, while Manolo Merx is unavailable due to illness.
Up to the Betzenberg! On Saturday (September 5th/1pm), SV 98 will be playing away against FC Kaiserslautern as part of Matchday 4. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Kaiserslautern for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Our head coach spoke about the important "four-field" (the area between the stands and the goal) and his belief in the team's development ahead of tomorrow's away game at the Betzenberg stadium. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Kaiserslautern (September 5th, 1pm) here.
Commitment to sports, respectful interaction, and joint efforts for a better Darmstadt. All the values that SV Darmstadt 98 strives to embody, and which the Martinsviertel Boxing Club is also meant to symbolise, came together on Thursday evening (September 3rd). At the Boxing Club's open house, which also marked the launch of a joint project between SV 98, the independent organisation Rope e.V., and the Darmstadt Youth Services, the foundation was laid for a new sports program in the Martinsviertel district.
For 1. FC Kaiserslautern, sporting tragedy and triumph were separated by just seven days in May 1996. On May 18th, after a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen, the club’s first-ever relegation from the Bundesliga was confirmed. After 33 years of uninterrupted top-flight football, the Red Devils had to make the drop to the second division. But just one week later, the chance for a conciliatory end to the season presented itself at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. FCK seized it. With a 1-0 victory against Karlsruher SC, Kaiserslautern won the DFB Cup for the second time, after their first title in 1990.
On Saturday (September 5th), Darmstadt will travel to Kaiserslautern for their fourth matchday fixture. Their historical record against Kaiserslautern couldn't be more balanced: five wins, five draws, and five losses. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
A premiere for SV 98. The Lilies have played their first match in the "Bundesliga Talent Series". In the newly introduced additional U21 competition, the team from southern Hesse drew 3-3 (2-1) with SV Elversberg despite trailing at the break.
On Saturday afternoon (September 5th, 1pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will play away against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. This report provides you with all the important information for your visit to the stadium. For Darmstadt fans who decide to attend at the last minute: There will be a ticket office for the away section (more information below).
The train, the train, the train has no brakes! At least musically – because our relief train to Kaiserslautern really picks up speed on Saturday (September 5th). We also look back at the official inauguration of Jonathan-Heimes-Platz and get ready for the opening of the Martinsviertel Boxing Club. As usual, in "Lilies Across the Board" you'll find all the news and stories from the club life of SV Darmstadt 98.