24.08.2026 / English
Transfer News: Maglica Changes to Türkiye
Matej Maglica’s time with the Lilies comes to an end after a total of 81 competitive matches. The 27-year-old centre-back is moving to the Turkish top-flight club Kocaelispor.
Paul Fernie: „It had become apparent over the past few weeks that Matej would be leaving us during this transfer window. Thanks to the offer from Kocaelispor, we were able to grant his wish to move. We wish Matej every success in Turkey.“
Maglica initially joined the Lilies on loan from VfB Stuttgart in July 2023. Following the loan period, both clubs agreed on a permanent transfer. During his time at SV 98, Maglica made 26 Bundesliga appearances, played 48 matches in the 2. Bundesliga, and featured in seven DFB-Pokal games, scoring a total of nine goals in competitive matches.
SV Darmstadt 98 thanks Matej Maglica for his efforts over the past three years and wishes him all the best for the future.
Foto: Eibner 
Foto: Eibner 
Foto: Eibner 
Foto: Eibner 
Foto: Eibner 
„A cup battle that we embraced and won“
The Lilies have reached the second round after a hard-fought cup match in Jena. We’ve rounded up the post-match reactions for you.
Lilies Reach 2nd Round of the Cup
SV 98 has secured a spot in the next round of the DFB-Pokal. The Lilies won 2–1 (2–1) away at FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Milan Smit (11th minute) and Lance Duijvestijn (41st minute) sealed the victory against the Regionalliga side.
Team News: Starting Debut for Merx
Cup action for the Lilies. In the first round of the DFB-Pokal, SV 98 are away at FC Carl Zeiss Jena (August 23, 3:30pm). Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting lineup compared to the match in Dresden: Manolo Merx starts in place of Yosuke Furukawa, and Raoul Petretta starts instead of Florian Kleinhansl. Hiroki Akiyama is missing from the squad following a relapse due to illness.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Jena Game
Cup action awaits! On Sunday (August 23, 3:30pm), the Lilies kick off their campaign in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The trip takes them to the ad hoc arena at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in Jena—Thuringia’s "City of Light." What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match? And where can you follow the action? As always, we’ve gathered all the key information about the game against Carl Zeiss Jena for you in "Matchday Guide."
Opposition Check: Carl Zeiss Jena
Floodlights illuminate the pitch at Düsseldorf’s Rheinstadion as the FC Carl Zeiss Jena players step onto the field on May 13, 1981. Behind them lies a European campaign that has long since made football history: coach Hans Meyer’s team had already overcome AS Roma, Valencia CF, Newport County, and Benfica on their journey through the European Cup Winners' Cup. Now, just 90 minutes stand between them and ultimate triumph. Waiting on the other side is Dinamo Tbilisi. It is the biggest European night in the club's history—and even though it ends in a 2 - 1 defeat, this extraordinary journey remains inextricably linked to FC Carl Zeiss Jena to this day.
Statement on fan criticism of VAR
It was announced yesterday, Thursday (August 20th), that organised fan groups across Germany are planning major protests against the video assistant referee (VAR) during the first round of the cup competition. The SV 98 fan base has also stated that it will participate in these protests during the Lilies match against Carl Zeiss Jena. SV Darmstadt 98 fully understands the reasons behind the protests and is in complete agreement with the views expressed on many points.
„I love this competition“
Ahead of the cup match against FC Carl Zeiss Jena (August 23, 3:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered questions from the assembled journalists at the press conference. We have summarised the key statements made by the Lilien coach prior to the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
Facts & Figures: Key Stats about the Jena Match
On Sunday, SVD faces FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB-Pokal season. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams in this competition. You can find all further facts and figures regarding the match here.
Fan information for the cup match in Jena
On Sunday (August 23rd), we will be playing away against FC Carl Zeiss Jena at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. Together with you, we aim to advance to the next round of the DFB-Pokal. As always, here is all the organisational information regarding the cup match in Jena:
A forum for meeting and getting to know one another
For many years, the Lilien sponsors' summer party has been a fixture on the SV Darmstadt 98 summer calendar. For this year's event, the club headed to the Ried region—specifically to the Coreum in Stockstadt am Rhein. Together with more than 400 guests, the Lilien enjoyed an evening that was both informative and entertaining, and which flew by in a flash.
Starting Friday: Member pre-sale for Wolfsburg
Our third away match of the new season takes us to Lower Saxony. We will be visiting VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 6. Here’s how you can be there to support the team: the pre-sale for members begins this coming Friday (August 21) at 12pm – both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion.
