Analysis: Faith helps
Darmstadt's season started with a bang. A late comeback secured SV 98 a point against Holstein Kiel. Our analysis examines the key moments of the match, highlighting both the positives and the negatives.
08.08.2026 / English
„They showed character“
Darmstadt showed great character, coming back from a 0-2 deficit in their first competitive match of the new season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Florian Kohfeldt:
„Kiel had two scoring opportunities in the first half, both of which they converted, although we made individual errors on both goals. Otherwise, I see us as controlling the game, without ever really creating clear-cut chances – apart from the very close offside goal, which followed a high ball recovery. Kiel should have made it 3-0, then the game would have been over – that’s the truth. But we remained consistent and stable, stuck to our game plan, and didn’t give up. Then we equalised at 2-2 with a fantastic goal from Ho-Jae and a hard-fought goal from Vuko. The team’s mentality was outstanding today, and the game has given me a tremendous amount of confidence for the season.“
Tim Walter:
„We were here last year and lost 2-0. That was a different season with a completely different team. Nevertheless, we know where we come from. We dominated the game until the 75th minute and didn’t allow them anything. Ultimately, we only have ourselves to blame today and let it slip away. So I’m very, very disappointed. But we move on next week.“
Aleksandar Vukotić:
„After the first half, we have to be satisfied with a point because we staged a great comeback against a good team. I take full responsibility for the goals we conceded because I made the mistakes that led to them. Our first goal came a bit out of nowhere. But with the whole stadium behind us and that fantastic atmosphere, we knew: if we scored one goal, we could score a second. I believe in the team and the coach. It’s important that we showed our character today, and I’m sure the good things are yet to come.“
Marcel Schuhen:
„After being two goals down, this point feels good. We wanted to test the new squad, see if they’re resilient and if they can handle being behind (grins). This team can! You can never be completely satisfied with a draw here at home because we simply have a good team. We were able to show that at times today. But you mustn’t forget that we played against a really good opponent today, one that plays very good football in the back line, with a lot of individual quality and makes a lot of runs. They consistently had excellent wing play. But turning the game around after being 2-0 down is something we like, and the fans here like it too. That’s what makes us happy in the end.“
Patric Pfeiffer (at Hessian Broadcasting):
„We actually started well, moving the ball around nicely. Unfortunately, we didn’t create any clear-cut chances and then conceded the first goal. Even after that, we didn’t let it throw us off our game, continued to move the ball well, but then conceded another goal. We needed some time to recover, but we never let our heads drop. We believed in ourselves, and I knew: if we scored a goal here at home, we’d be right back in the game. We managed to do that and rewarded ourselves with the 2-2 draw. Overall, I think we played the better game for long stretches.“
The post-match press conference:
A Point Gained with Spirit
SV 98 demonstrated their resilience and comeback qualities right from the first matchday: In the 2-2 (0-2) draw, the Lilies equalised a two-goal deficit and ultimately snatched a point from the visitors. Lee (76th minute) and Vukotić (86th minute) sent the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor into raptures in the second half.
Team News: Four New Faces in the Starting XI
Darmstadt 98 kick off their new second division season with a home game against Holstein Kiel (August 8th/1pm). Florian Kohfeldt will field four new players in the starting lineup – Noah Weißhaupt, Florian Kleinhansl, Christopher Lannert, and Lance Duijvestijn – who will be making their competitive debuts for the Lilies.
Matchday Guide: All the info on the Kiel game
Finally, it's starting again! Today, Saturday (August 8th/1pm), Darmstadt 98 kicks off the new 2. Bundesliga season with a home game against Holstein Kiel. The Lilies host the Storks at the Böllenfalltor stadium and are aiming to secure their first points of the new campaign. What are the two head coaches' comments before kickoff? Who will referee the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the season opener against Holstein Kiel in our "Matchday Guide" overview.
Jonathan Heimes Square becomes a reality: Work begins in the stadium for the memorial.
A special place of remembrance for one of Darmstadt's most well-known fans: This week, work began on the new Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. With the redesign of the main stand's forecourt, the area in front of the stadium will be named after the fan who died of cancer around ten years ago, whose motto "You have to fight" remains inextricably linked to the Lilies. The work is expected to be completed before the home match against Hannover 96 (August 30th, 1:30pm) or Arminia Bielefeld (September 11th, 6:30pm).
Sinalco becomes a top partner of SV Darmstadt 98
SV Darmstadt 98 and Sinalco are now joining forces. The beverage brand will become an official top partner of the Lilies and will provide refreshments at home games and club events.
Opposition Check: Holstein Kiel
A fresh start. The new season is about to begin, and for Holstein Kiel, as well as for Darmstadt 98, it's a new campaign. After a difficult season as a relegated Bundesliga team, the Storks also have to reset. Tim Walter has been back on the Kiel sidelines since the beginning of the year. Now, the first matchday takes the Storks to the Bölle stadium.
Organisational information for the Kiel game
On Saturday (August 8th, 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. For the start of the season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there will be a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Furthermore, in addition to the existing regulations, visitors are permitted to bring one non-alcoholic beverage in PET bottles up to 0.5 litres into the stadium for this game.
“Our mentality can be a very great strength.”
Where do Darmstadt 98 stand? What are our head coach's expectations for the visitors? And how satisfied are we with the summer break? Florian Kohfeldt answered questions from journalists at today's press conference ahead of the season opener against Holstein Kiel (August 8th, 1pm). We've summarised Kohfeldt's key statements from the press conference for you.
Facts and Figures: The Top Stats Before the Kiel Game
The ball will finally start rolling again at the Merck Stadium on Saturday. Darmstadt 98 kick off their new second division season with a home game against Holstein Kiel. The Lilies are unbeaten against Kiel in their last seven competitive matches. All the other facts and figures surrounding the season opener can be found here.
RMV CombiTicket: New access point for day tickets and digital WirLilien tickets
The RMV combined ticket remains free of charge with the stadium ticket. However, day tickets and digital WirLilien tickets will now require a separate digital request before each home game. All information about the new procedure can be found here.
Starting Friday: Member presale for Kaiserslautern tickets
On Matchday 4 of the 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season, Darmstadt 98 will be in action in Rhineland-Palatinate. At the Fritz-Walter-Stadion, SV 98 will face 1. FC Kaiserslautern in their second away game of the season. Here's how you can be there: Member pre-sale tickets for this match start this coming Friday (August 7th) at 12 noon – both online and at the ticket office at the Merck-Stadion.