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 
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Disappointment & pride
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.