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!
Organisational information for the „Lionel Richie Tribute Night“ with Jimmie Wilson
At the "Lionel Richie Tribute Night" on June 27, 2026 (Saturday evening, doors open at 8:30 p.m.), Jimmie Wilson will bring the greatest hits of the American soul singer live to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. This concert evening, presented by SV Darmstadt 98 Stadion GmbH, promises a special atmosphere – whether you want to sing along, dance, or simply enjoy the music. Here you will find all the important organisational information.
Transfer News: Verkooijen Signs for Lilies
SV 98 have secured the services of highly sought-after Nicolas Verkooijen. The Belgian U21 international joins the club in southern Hesse on a free transfer after his contract with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven expired at the end of the season.
Young Lilies participate in the „Bundesliga Talent Series“
The "Bundesliga Talent Series" will launch in the 2026/27 season as an additional U21 competition to promote young talent in German professional football. SV 98 is one of 26 clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga that have committed to participating.
Transfer News: Lilies Loan Out Arnold
Tim Arnold will play in the Regionalliga West next season. SV 98 is loaning the 19-year-old to Sportfreunde Siegen. The fourth-division club also has an option to sign him permanently.
Heinerfest game show: SV 98 is looking for four teams
Want to take your team to the Heinerfest stage? Then apply now! SV Darmstadt 98 is looking for four teams to be part of the Lilies' Heinerfest game show and compete against former Lilie player Michael Stegmayer. The show takes place on Saturday, July 4th, from 4pm to 6pm. Amateur teams, groups of friends, families, fan clubs, and club groups are all welcome to participate.
Merck Lilies football camps are starting for the summer holidays: Secure your spot now!
With the start of the Hessian summer holidays on June 29th, the Merck Lilies football camps will of course also be in full swing again. You can find all the information here.
Young Lilies: Coach swap between U21 and U19
SV 98 is making changes to the head coaching positions for its U21 and U19 teams for the upcoming season. Sebastian Schmitt, who has been in charge of the U21s since February, will now coach the U19s. Conversely, the current U19 coach, Patrick Kurt, will take over the position with the U21s.
The fan shop at Bölle will remain closed on Monday.
The SV Darmstadt 98 fan shop at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be closed next Monday (June 22nd). It will reopen on Tuesday (June 23rd) with its regular opening hours.
From Japan to Canada | „I want to show what I’m capable of“
Where are the Darmstadt 98 players spending their summer holidays? We'll give you a brief overview. Furthermore, SV 98 welcomed their first new signing, Noah Weißhaupt, to the Böllenfalltor stadium this week, and the club's veterans team will be playing two matches again this weekend. We'll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 in our "Lilies Across the Board" section.
Children’s play day at Bölle: Ticket sales for the Homburg test match start on June 18th.
At the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor against FC Homburg: Ticket sales for the friendly match on July 14, 2026, at 6pm against the regional league team begin on June 18 at noon. Tickets are available as usual at the ticket office at the stadium and in our online ticket shop. We would also like to draw your attention to this very special match day: The friendly against FC Homburg will put our youngest fans in the spotlight, giving them their first ever children's match day at the stadium, an event never before seen at the Merck Stadium.
