Foto: eibner Pressefotos 24.06.2026 / English
Training begins in the Odenwald | „This feeling“
The summer break is drawing to a close, and this coming Sunday (June 28th), the Darmstadt professionals will be back on the training pitch for the first time, officially starting their preparations for the 2026/27 second division season. And they'll be doing so in the Odenwald region. Furthermore, the club has welcomed another new signing, Nicolas Verkooijen. You can find these and other topics in our weekly edition, "Lilies Across the Board."
+++ Training begins in the Odenwald +++
The long wait is over. The summer break is finished. This coming Sunday (June 28th), the SV Darmstadt 98 professionals will be back on the pitch for the first time. The Lilies‘ training kickoff will take place this year in the Odenwald region. More precisely, at the beautifully situated training grounds of SV Winterkasten. The public session starts at 3pm, when Florian Kohfeldt will welcome his team to begin their pre-season preparations. A varied program of events awaits all Darmstadt fans in attendance, and the SV 98 mobile fan shop will also be present in the Odenwald.
+++ "I am very happy" +++
That first feeling. It was crucial for Nicolas Verkooijen. „I never had that feeling with any other club,“ he explained in his introductory interview with SV Darmstadt 98. He added, „And I think you should always listen to your gut feeling.“ Since Tuesday afternoon (June 23rd), the Belgian U21 international has officially been part of the Lilies family. The attacking player will wear the number 10 jersey for SV 98. „I’m very happy,“ he emphasised in German. You can see the entire interview here on our official YouTube-Channel.
+++ DFB Youth Leagues: The Young Lilies Groups +++
The SV Darmstadt 98 U17 and U19 teams will again compete in their respective DFB youth leagues in the 2026/27 season. The U17 preliminary round will consist of eight groups of eight teams each, while the U19 group stage will be divided into seven groups of seven to eight teams each.
The U17 team’s opponents are: 1. FC Köln, Eintracht Frankfurt, FSV Frankfurt, SpVgg Greuther Fürth, SV Sandhausen, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and TSG Wieseck.
The U19 team’s opponents are: 1. FC Kaiserslautern, 1. FC Köln, 1. FSV Mainz 05, FSV Frankfurt, SC Fortuna Köln, and SV Wehen Wiesbaden.
+++ All the best, Tobi! +++
This week in June is all about two special birthdays with a history with Darmstadt 98: This coming Saturday (June 27th), Tobias Kempe celebrates his 37th birthday. The Wesel native was an integral part of the Darmstadt family from 2014 – with the exception of the 2016/17 season when he played for 1. FC Nürnberg – until 2025. His iconic free-kick goal against FC St. Pauli in 2015, which fired Darmstadt back into the Bundesliga, remains unforgettable. After the 2024/25 season, Kempe’s time with SV Darmstadt 98 came to an end after 285 competitive appearances in the club’s jersey. The former midfielder is currently coaching Germania Eberstadt. Dear Tobi, we wish you all the best on your special day!
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos +++ Happy Birthday, Jego! +++
The day before, on Friday (June 26th), Jerome Gondorf celebrates his 38th birthday. The Karlsruhe native played a total of 140 matches for Darmstadt 98 between 2013 and 2017 and was part of the legendary „Miracle of Bielefeld“ team of 2014. After stints in Bremen and Freiburg, he ended his playing career with Karlsruher SC in 2015. Dear Jerome, we also extend our warmest congratulations on your birthday!
+++ SAFC aims to score points again +++
After last week’s 2-0 defeat at Lexington SC, San Antonio FC will be looking to get back on track. The team from Texas – San Antonio, Darmstadt’s sister city – will be playing away again on Wednesday night (June 25th) at 2am German time. They will be visiting Switchbacks FC and aiming for a win to reclaim the top spot in the USL Championship standings. We at SV 98 Darmstadt wish them the best of luck!
“Our belief in this path is immense.”
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Outnumbered: Lilies Lose to 96ers
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Team News: Three Changes in the Starting XI
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Hannover Game
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. 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 Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
Transfer News: Mikelbrencis strengthens SV 98
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
“I’d be up for it”
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
Opposition Check: Hannover 96
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
Jonathan Heimes Square is officially opened
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Facts & Figures: The top stats about the Hannover game
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
Fan Information for the Home Game against Hannover
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
Good morning! | Riedel against Real
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
Tour of Historic Venues
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.