Foto: DFL / Getty Images 28.04.2025 / English
Tobias Kempe’s time as a Lilien professional ends after the season
A club legend is stepping down: After a total of ten seasons with the Lily on his chest, Tobias Kempe's time as a player for SV98 will end this summer. The club and the 35-year-old agreed in joint talks not to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
Paul Fernie: „Tobi Kempe’s achievements for the Lilies are hard to put into words. His unique history with our club is absolutely exceptional in modern football. He belongs to a very special category of players who have achieved something like this in their careers: not only representing a club, but also living and shaping it for so many years. I have the utmost respect for his achievements in Darmstadt.“
Rüdiger Fritsch: „It’s fair to say that Tobi Kempe is one of the greatest Lilien players of this century. He was a key factor in the past successful decade. Furthermore, with his down-to-earth and open manner, he was a truly likeable figure throughout. Tobi will be given a fitting farewell at the last home game of the season and will always be welcome at SV 98.“
This club, the incredibly great fans and the time we spent together will forever hold a big place in my heart.
Tobias Kempe: „I feel a great sense of gratitude and honour to have spent a large part of my career at this special club. This club, the incredibly great fans, and the time we spent together will forever hold a special place in my heart. Now is a good time to announce my decision about my future to the public. I’ve had very good and trusting discussions with Paul Fernie, Tom Eilers, Florian Kohfeldt, and the executive committee throughout this entire period. I will absorb and enjoy every moment in the coming weeks, right up until the final matchday.“
Kempe has been playing for SV 98 since 2014 – with the exception of one season with 1. FC Nürnberg. He celebrated promotion to the Bundesliga twice with the Lilies, in 2015 and 2023. In the 2014/15 season, Kempe scored the decisive goal for the Bundesliga on the final matchday against FC St. Pauli. Kempe also played a key role in the Lilies‘ only ever top-flight survival, in the 2015/16 season.
To date, the midfielder has made 283 competitive appearances for the Southern Hesse side. The right-footed player has scored 57 goals for the Lilies and provided another 64 assists. The club will bid farewell to Kempe on the final matchday at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
A Lily era in pictures:
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Imago Images 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Lack of context
More than 30,000 fans packed the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, creating an impressive atmosphere under the floodlights – pure football romance. The setting for Darmstadt's away match against Dynamo Dresden was truly special. Two teams with a playful and attacking approach faced off. For 42 minutes, these ingredients combined to create an entertaining, tactically sophisticated, and intense duel. Until a referee's decision decisively influenced the outcome. We look back on an emotional evening in Dresden.
„The referee decided the game today.“
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.
Undefeated streak ends
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Team News: Three Changes to the Team
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
Matchday Guide: All Information for the Dresden Game
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Facts & Stats: The top facts about the Dresden game
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Fan Information for the Dresden Game
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
„Pure football romance“
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
“Now I’m happy in Darmstadt!” | Lilies launch their 5th tree planting campaign
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Opposition Check: SG Dynamo Dresden
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
5th Tree Planting Campaign: Register now!
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
U21: With renewed energy into the rest of the season
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.