In February it starts again for the A and B juniors of SV Darmstadt 98. After the preliminary round, which ended after 14 match days, the youth teams compete in the main round in League B. Exciting and sometimes new opponents await you here.
After the last preliminary round game at the beginning of December, one thing is certain for the U19 and U17 Lilies: Both youth teams will start in the newly founded DFB youth league in League B from February.
The U19s were unable to reach the top two places in their group in the preliminary round with nine points from 14 games. Therefore, the A-Juniors will compete in the main round in League B. Coach Patrick Kurt’s team begins the second half of the season away from SV Gonsenheim on February 2, 2025. In addition to Gonsenheim, the Lilies face five other teams in Group E that also missed out on promotion to the top division: FC Augsburg, SC Freiburg, SSV Reutlingen, SSV Ulm and SV Sandhausen.
The preliminary round for the U17s was somewhat more successful. With a fourth place finish, the Lilies narrowly missed out on getting into the A-League, but now compete in League B like the U19s. An intensive opening weekend awaits the South Hessians: On Saturday (February 15th/2pm) the Hessen Cup game against JFV Nidda/Schotten is on the agenda. The next day (February 16th/11am) the first main round game will be away to SC Freiburg. In addition to Freiburg, the U17 faces the following opponents in the league: FC 08 Villingen, SSV Ulm, SV Gonsenheim, SV Sandhausen.
I am happy for the U17 and U19 that they have been divided into attractive groups. There are clubs there that we don't play against often. It will be interesting comparisons and we are looking forward to it.
The newly founded DFB youth league is divided into two phases: preliminary round and main round. In the preliminary round, the teams compete against each other in regionally divided groups. All U17 and U19 teams from clubs with a youth football training center are eligible to play every year.
After 14 preliminary round games, the first and second-placed teams as well as the best third-placed teams in the groups qualify for the A-League, in which the German championship is played. The remaining teams start in the main round in League B. In the following years, the teams start again with the preliminary round, as there is no promotion or relegation for the academy teams in the current system.
Another innovation concerns the substitution options: each team is allowed to make up to seven substitutions per game. This is to ensure that all 18 squad spots get a chance at playing time.
With these regulations, the DFB aims to take the pressure off the clubs to succeed and to focus more on the development, creativity and joy of playing of the players. This is intended to increase the talents‘ individual performance in the long term.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. 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 live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.