The Lilies are continuing to work hard on the training ground this week to build on their previous performances after the upcoming international break. Two players are currently absent from Darmstadt: midfielder Jean-Paul Boëtius is playing for the Surinamese national team in World Cup qualification. Isac Lidberg is also traveling. He was initially called up on call and is now in the final squad for Sweden due to Jordan Larsson's injury-related withdrawal. He also has two World Cup qualifying matches with them.
Nominated for the first time in November last year, his strong performances have now been rewarded again: Isac Lidberg has been nominated by Sweden’s national coach Jon Dahl Tomasson for the upcoming international matches. First up, the „Tre Kronor“ host Switzerland at the Friends Arena in Solna on Friday (October 10th, 8:45pm). The Swiss have an unblemished record with two wins from two matches and are comfortably leading the group. Sweden themselves have so far only managed a 2-2 draw with bottom-placed Slovakia, who are level on points, and suffered a 2-0 defeat in Kosovo. Lidberg and the Swedes play their second World Cup qualifier on Monday (October 13th, 8:45pm), once again at home, this time against Kosovo at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.
Jean-Paul Boëtius and Suriname are aiming to stay on course for the World Cup after their recent successes. After securing their place in the finals by finishing first in the second qualifying round of CONCACAF, the Surinamese national team remained undefeated after two matches. A goalless draw in their opening match against Panama was followed by a 2-1 away win against El Salvador, which put Boëtius and his team at the top of the table.
On Friday (October 10th, 11pm, German time), Suriname will host Guatemala, currently bottom of the table, at their home stadium, the Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo. The visitors‘ only point so far comes from a draw against Panama. Boëtius’s Suriname national team will face the same Panamanian team on Wednesday (October 15th, 3am, German time) at the Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City.
Suriname is in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The final round consists of three groups. The three group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, the largest ever with 48 teams. The two best runners-up will have the chance to secure a World Cup berth through a playoff tournament. Suriname currently holds first place in a group with El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama after two of six matchdays.
The Swedish national team is in Group B of the European World Cup qualifiers. In a group with Switzerland, Kosovo, and Slovakia, the Swedes must finish first to qualify directly for the World Cup. There is also a chance to secure a World Cup berth through a playoff tournament in Europe as the runners-up. Currently, the Swedes have one point after two matches, while Switzerland (6 points) and Kosovo (3 points) lead the group.
Date |
Kick-Off |
Match |
Competition |
Lilie Involvement |
| Friday 10.10 | 11pm | Suriname – Guatemala | WM-Qualifikation | Jean-Paul Boëtius |
| Friday 10.10 | 8.45pm | Schweden – Schweiz | WM-Qualifikation | Isac Lidberg |
| Monday 13.10 | 8.45pm | Schweden – Kosovo | WM-Qualifikation | Isac Lidberg |
| Wednesday 15.10 | 3am | Panama – Suriname | WM-Qualifikation | Jean-Paul Boëtius |
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.