Reinforcements for SV 98's midfield: Niklas Schmidt joins the club on loan from FC Toulouse until the end of the season. The 27-year-old already participated in today's training session with the Lilies.
Paul Fernie: “With Niklas, we’re getting an absolute creative player whom we primarily plan to use in attacking midfield, but who can also be deployed flexibly in central midfield. It’s a special situation that both Flo and I have already worked with Niklas and therefore know his particular qualities very well. He’s a technically gifted and very intelligent combination player who can create decisive moments. We’re happy that we were able to find a solution together with Niklas and FC Toulouse to make this loan transfer happen.”
Niklas Schmidt: “I immediately had a very good feeling when I heard about Darmstadt’s interest. The team plays attractive football and I believe that my style of play fits very well with this philosophy. My first impressions of my teammates and today’s training session were excellent and I can hardly wait to pull on the Lilies‘ jersey for the first time.”
Schmidt was developed in the youth academy of SV Werder Bremen and made his Bundesliga debut for the club in September 2016 at the age of 18. Between 2018 and 2021, the ambidextrous midfielder played on loan for SV Wehen Wiesbaden and VfL Osnabrück. With SVWW, Schmidt celebrated promotion to the 2. Bundesliga and contributed significantly to this success with 16 scorer points. For Osnabrück, the native of Hesse made 51 appearances (47 in the 2. Bundesliga), contributing nine goals and assists. Schmidt returned to Werder for the 2021/22 season and played in 25 2. Bundesliga matches (eight goal and assists) during Bremen’s promotion campaign. The following year, Schmidt made 24 Bundesliga appearances and scored three goals. For the 2023/24 season, the former junior international moved to FC Toulouse in Ligue 1. Schmidt made a total of 39 competitive appearances for the French club and celebrated his comeback after an injury break on January 10th of this year.
Schmidt will wear the number 31 jersey for Darmstadt.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.