Next game. Next win. The Junglilien continue their run in the Hessenliga. In the second game after the winter break, SV Darmstadt 98's U21s also emerged victorious and beat FC Bayern Alzenau 2-1 last Saturday (February 22). This means the U21s move up to fourth place in the Lotto Hessenliga.
Not an easy away game for the “Zwote” of SV Darmstadt 98. U21 coach Daniel Petrowsky had to rebuild his team a little compared to the previous games. The young Lilies went into the game with a changed basic order. There was also a pitch that was difficult to play on. In the end, the duel was fairly even until half-time. Apart from a hit on the crossbar by the Lilies and two brilliant performances by Darmstadt goalkeeper Til Rohde, little happened and both teams went into the dressing room with a score of 0-0.
Even in the second half there was no clear predominance of either team. Defensively, the U21s were very good and kept coming forward from a stable defence – only the goal was missing. But this came in the 60th minute of the game: a long ball from Max Pfister found striker Georg Makridis, who held on to the ball well and sank it on the turn to give the team a 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately, what worked on one side also worked on the other. This time it was the hosts who came forward with a long ball. Although the Lilies won the ball first, the second ball bounced into the feet of the Alzenauers. They prevailed on the outside and brought the ball sharply into the penalty area, where Lucas Sitter levelled with 15 minutes left.
It wasn’t until the third minute of stoppage time that the decision was made: Darmstadt’s captain Markus Ballmert first won the ball outstandingly in the middle and then sent Mateo Zelic into action with a deep pass, who won the decisive one-on-one duel and completed the attack with the 2-1 winning goal.
Shortly before the final whistle, things got heated again. Firstly there was a brawl, after which Lennox Kern from Bayern Alzenau and Georg Makridis from Lilien picked up red card. Afterwards, the winning goal scorer Mateo Zelic was shown a yellow-red card for time wasting.
I have to take my hat off to the boys for how they handled the situation and what performance they brought onto the field against such a top team. It was a great performance. That's why it's particularly great that we were rewarded with victory in the end.
Line-Up: Rohde – Crößmann – Robotta – Zelic – Gegg – Held – Grbic (Donges, 76) – Ballmert – Makridis – Görtler (Kuhlmann, 75) – Pfister
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.