This weekend, it's not just the SV Darmstadt 98 pros who are back in action; the U21 team also kicks off its LOTTO Hessenliga campaign on Saturday (August 2nd at 3pm). Before the kickoff, we'll be joined by Björn Müller (Sporting Director of the Youth Development Center) and head coach Daniel Petrowsky to discuss the team's importance for SV 98's youth development, their goals, and the squad.
SV 98’s U21 team can look back on a successful debut season in the LOTTO Hessenliga. With a strong sixth-place finish, the young Lilies narrowly missed out on a place in the promotion round for the Regionalliga. The upcoming season, with 18 teams, should once again provide plenty of entertainment and excitement.
Our goal is to prepare players holistically for the demands of modern professional football – the U21 team is a crucial building block in this process.
After a successful debut season, the SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team is entering its second season in the Hessenliga. The focus remains the same as in the previous season: the continuous development of young talent will remain the central focus. Head coach Daniel Petrowsky emphasises: „We once again have a very young team with players who could still play in the U19s. We want to introduce them to the senior level as quickly as possible.“
Björn Müller, sporting director of the youth performance center, also clearly places the U21 team in the club’s training program. „If we succeed in bringing players into the next age group early on, or into the senior level with a view to the future – ideally into the senior squad – then we will have fulfilled part of our mission.“
The U21 team thus forms an important bridge between youth and professional football.
The team underwent major changes over the summer. Only a small core of players from the previous year remained. Some players, like Tim Arnold and Max Pfister, made the jump to the first team. Others sought new challenges in higher leagues. Petrowsky speaks of a „completely new beginning,“ but also sees this as a great opportunity. „There are new characters and types of players. Forming a successful unit out of them is a challenge, but also an exciting task.“
Müller also emphasises the special dynamic of the changes. The team now consists of players from different backgrounds. The goal is to build a strong team culture and develop each individual player individually. That this can be achieved was already evident during the preseason. „Both training camps – the U19 and U21 – were very positive. The teams worked with high intensity and showed the will to grow together as a group,“ Müller said.
Goalkeepers: Til Rohde, Emil Hagemann, Mauritius Schönig.
Defenders: Aziz Alagi, Jonas Buchberger, Burak Karakaya, Bastian Görtler, Kelvin Kunstmann, Marcello Maier.
Midfielders: Imad Jaadar, Tom Steineck, Markus Ballmert, Luis Klappich, Kian Rebner, Milian Herbst
Forwards: Smail Kadrijaj, Luigi Mignano, Mika Schlosser, Loan Schnerring
Daniel Petrowsky (Manager), Sebastian Schmitt (Assistant Manager)
During their summer preseason, the Lilies completed an intensive training program, including friendly matches and a training camp. Particular emphasis was placed on athletic fundamentals, tactical discipline, and the development of playful solutions. Petrowsky describes the progress as clearly visible. „The initial tests revealed some weaknesses that we have been working on. A positive trend is evident.“
The integration of the U19 players is going well, as they are already familiar with the club’s philosophy. New recruits from outside the team have also been successfully integrated. Müller praises the commitment and professionalism of both groups. „Many players are hungry to take the next step. You can see that on the pitch.“
The U21s aim to focus on a healthy mix of control and flexibility. This means possession, clear forward play, but also compactness and defensive stability. „We want to play a style of football that contributes to development. Last year, we had the second-best defence in the league – that was our foundation,“ says Petrowsky. At the same time, it’s important to react to the different playing styles of our opponents, while at the same time having solutions in all situations and implementing Darmstadt’s style of play. „Some will attack us high, others will play deep. We have to be flexible, but maintain our identity.“
Close coordination with the professional team remains a key element. Regular exchanges with head coach Florian Kohfeldt and U19 coach Patrick Kurt take place. Petrowsky sees this as a significant added value. „When it comes to promoting players and acting in the interests of their development, trust between the coaching staff is crucial.“ Müller adds that the players‘ physical preparation is now at a very high level. The goal is to produce players who can also compete physically with the professional team.
The start of the new Hessenliga season is just around the corner. The first few matches will be a true test of the team’s performance. Petrowsky expects a strong league with ambitious newcomers and opponents like Eintracht Frankfurt II and FC Gießen. „I expect that anyone can beat anyone,“ says the coach. Müller also sees the first few games as an important test. „The first five or six matches will show us where we stand.“
With a newly formed team, clear goals, and a well-thought-out training program, SV 98’s U21 team is starting the new season. The anticipation is great, as are the challenges. For Daniel Petrowsky and his team, it’s all about building on last year’s successes – especially in preparing young players for higher responsibilities.
| Matchday | Date | Kick Off | Match |
| 1 | Saturday, 02.08.2025 | 3pm | Türk Gücü Friedberg – SV 98 |
| 2 | Saturday, 09.08.2025 | 3pm | SV 98 – CSC 03 Kassel |
| 3 | Saturday, 16.08.2025 | 3pm | SV 98 – SV Rot-Weiss Walldorf |
| 4 | Wednesday, 20.08.2025 | 7pm | SV Hummetroth – SV 98 |
| 5 | Saturday, 23.08.2025 | 2pm | FC Giessen – SV 98 |
We wish our U21 team much success in the upcoming Hessenliga season!
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.