Foto: SV 98 30.06.2026 / English
Transfer News: Duijvestijn Strengthens the Attack
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
Paul Fernie: „In Lance, we are gaining a key piece of the puzzle for the overhaul of our attack. He has a very active style of play, finds solutions between the lines, and isn’t afraid to go for goal himself. On top of that, he is technically gifted and works very hard off the ball. We’ve followed Lance in many matches, and he was a player we really wanted to sign. We are delighted to have finalised this deal.“
Lance Duijvestijn: „After gaining a lot of experience in the Netherlands over the past few years, I’m really looking forward to making the move abroad to Darmstadt. My conversations with Paul Fernie and Florian Kohfeldt were excellent, and I like the footballing philosophy—it aligns perfectly with my own vision of the game. I’m convinced that we can share plenty of great moments together.“
Duijvestijn came through the youth ranks at ADO Den Haag and—following a year in Nijmegen—gained his first experience in senior football there. After recording 12 goal contributions in 21 games for ADO’s U21 side, the tall, creative player moved to Helmond Sport in the second division in 2020.
He spent the next three seasons in that league, tallying a total of 65 goal contributions across 112 second-division appearances for Helmond (2020/21) and Almere City FC (2021/22 and 2022/23). The right-footed player also celebrated promotion to the Eredivisie with Almere in 2023. In the Dutch top flight, Duijvestijn played 14 matches for Almere before the winter break, then moved to league rivals Excelsior Rotterdam, where he recorded eleven goal contributions in 17 games through the end of the season. Despite this strong record, he suffered relegation to the second division with Rotterdam. The following season, the former U15 international recorded 20 goal contributions in 23 league matches and was officially named Player of the Season.
His strong performances earned Duijvestijn another move to the Eredivisie; he made 15 competitive appearances for Sparta Rotterdam before joining Fortuna Sittard on loan last winter. The new Lilien signing played 15 league matches (3 goals, 2 assists) for the team that finished 11th in the 2025/26 season.
Duijvestijn has been assigned the number 41 shirt at SV 98.
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
“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.