What awaits SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday afternoon against Arminia Bielefeld? How did the 98ers use the international break, and what are Florian Kohfeldt's thoughts on the final stretch of the season? The Lilies' head coach answered these and other questions at the press conference on Thursday before the match at the Alm (April 4th, 1pm). We've summarised the most important statements from our head coach's press conference for you.
Personnel update: Luca Marseiler (torn cruciate ligament) and Semih Güler (flesh wound on thigh) are unavailable.
In terms of mental approach and match preparation, nothing has changed compared to the Schalke game. But of course, every opponent has its own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. With Arminia, we’re facing an incredibly intense team that, although they haven’t won in five games, shouldn’t be misled. They’ve played their last four matches exclusively against top-five teams. And, apart from the Elversberg game, they’ve always come very close to taking points or winning matches.
They run an enormous amount, which sometimes comes at the expense of their structure. They make a lot of deep runs and have pace in all attacking positions. They have a lot of experience in defence, including Robin Knoche. It’s an exciting overall package.
The Alm is a fantastic football stadium, very compact and capable of generating a great atmosphere. I’ve played many games there, with both positive and negative memories. The feeling of playing there in that residential area is really cool. It’s something special that we’re preparing for and looking forward to.
I’ve said that we want to win games. We put that pressure on ourselves. We’re a club that’s had an extremely good season so far. With our points total and goal difference, we would have been top of the table at this point last season. We’re picking up points very regularly, and that gives us a good feeling and confidence that we want to win games. We want to win every game. But we have to. That’s a big difference. It’s different here than at other clubs. Because, given our fundamental circumstances, we’re far above the threshold where existential pressure arises. That pressure arises for us if we were fighting to stay in the second division. That has to always be Darmstadt 98’s ambition: to secure a place in the second division with our resources. Anything beyond that goes beyond the club’s expectations. That doesn’t mean we don’t want it in the locker room, but that’s the difference.
We’re focused and looking forward to the final seven weeks of the season. It’s been a great season and we have a great group of friends, and we’re happy to be able to continue this journey together. We’re concentrating on Bielefeld because it’s a tough away game. We know that while we haven’t played disastrously away from home in recent weeks, we haven’t won away from home in a long time either. So, of course, we respect their performance, but above all, we’re focused on what’s crucial in every game: concentrating on our own performance.
We’ve been working extremely hard on fitness, especially individually. Players returning from injuries have been working hard to increase their robustness. We’ve been very successful in that.
But you also use this time to take a breather and spend time with your family. Then, for me, it was back to being incredibly excited to be on the training pitch on Tuesday morning. I don’t need to recover from anything because I really enjoy what I do. Now we’re back in full force.
Furu is basically ready to be in the starting eleven. He’s started once before, but that was largely due to the strong seasons of Luca, Killi, and Marco. I believe he has the potential to play at a high level in the second division. As far as dribbling goes, he’s the strongest player in our squad. He can resolve situations, and that’s why he’s definitely a player who will play a role in my plans for the season, including starting appearances. He needed some time to adjust, but then he showed in training that he’s ready. Furu will play an important role for us in the coming weeks.
We’re at a stage of the season where every game is important for almost everyone in the league. This phase is the best there is. There’s a real buzz before every game. That’s why you don’t need any stories from the past. You’ve got the focus now, the competition, it’s awesome because there’s something at stake. And the sun is shining.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: