Foto: SV 98 13.04.2026 / English
U21 earns an important point
The long wait for a point is over! After four consecutive defeats, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team finally secured some points. On their home turf, the young Lilies drew 1-1 against TSV Eintracht Stadtallendorf last Saturday (April 11th). Looking at the league table, it was clear even before the match that it wouldn't be easy, as a full ten places separated the two teams in the LOTTO Hessenliga standings. However, the Lilies' U21 team remained evenly matched with the seventh-placed side and collected a crucial home point.
A strong 90 minutes, finally rewarded again!
In addition to securing a point, there was another piece of good news: After an injury layoff, captain Markus Ballmert returned to the team on Saturday and played the full 90 minutes. „Our captain’s return was a real boost for us,“ said U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt. The veteran provided the young Darmstadt side with much-needed stability. As a result, both teams went into the break with the score at 0-0 after a few scoring opportunities in the first half. However, the second half brought a setback: A corner in the 52nd minute gave Stadtallendorf a 1-0 lead. From that point on, the young Darmstadt players showed resilience and were determined not to leave empty-handed on this Saturday afternoon. Almost unfazed by the goal, they created numerous scoring chances of their own and were twice unlucky to hit the woodwork. The long-awaited equaliser finally came from a penalty kick, which Smail Kadrijaj confidently converted in the 75th minute. „After this phase, the deserved 1-1,“ Schmitt explained about his team’s period of sustained pressure.
„Both teams could have won the game after the 1-1 score,“ emphasised the U21 coach about what was a truly exciting encounter. Numerous attacks in both penalty areas characterised the final phase and captivated not only the spectators. „I prefer games where we play attacking football to opponents who sit back,“ revealed Schmitt. Even though both teams were pushing for the winning goal, „a fair draw was the final result,“ as Schmitt clarified.
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 Courage for the challenges ahead
„Even after the Weidenhausen game, I had the feeling that the lads were embracing the challenge,“ explained the U21 coach regarding the fight to avoid relegation from the Hessenliga. Over the 90 minutes, his players had worked through many of the things they had set out to do together. „Both teams opted for a possession-based approach today. Games against direct rivals, but also matches like the one against Stadtallendorf, help us in our development,“ Schmitt concluded positively.
With newfound confidence, the team faces an away match against KSV Baunatal next Saturday (April 18th, 2:30pm). The league standings are similar to those before the Young Lilies‘ last game – while the U21s are in 15th place, Baunatal sits in fourth. However, Schmitt emphasises: „We’re going to Baunatal knowing that we can compete with teams like this at the level we showed today.“
Line-Up: Börner – Kunstmann (Maier, 62′), Karakayar (Görtler, 83′), Jaadar (Arnold, 46′), Kadrijaj, Klappich (Mignano, 71′), Ballmert, Schnerring, Herbst (Blasa, 62′), Merx, Pfister.
Legends team pays another visit to Real Madrid
This match is a tradition – at least at the veterans' level: The SV Darmstadt 98 veterans team visited Real Madrid for the third time. The game was played last Thursday (April 9th) at the "Royal Whites'" training ground in the Valdebebas district of Madrid.
Starting Wednesday: Advance ticket sales for members for Karlsruhe
The season is drawing to a close, and SV Darmstadt 98's penultimate away match takes them to the Wildpark stadium. On Sunday (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC. We need a large turnout of Darmstadt fans to support them. Advance ticket sales for club members begin next Wednesday (April 15th) at noon. All ticket information can be found in this announcement.
Gap in the fortress wall
It happened in their 15th home game of the season. Darmstadt lost on their own turf. Deservedly so. Although SV 98 tried everything against the visitors from Hannover until the final whistle, the Lower Saxons proved too strong on Saturday evening. In our analysis, we take another look at the match.
„Hannover was better overall“
For the first time this season, SV Darmstadt 98 finished a match at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor without any points. The Lilies offered more resistance to Hannover 96's two goals in the second half. However, the pressure exerted by the South Hessians at the end proved fruitless. Read here what the players and both head coaches had to say about the defeat, which Darmstadt considered deserved overall.
First Home Defeat of the Season
Everything has to end and so the undefeated home record of SV 98 ended on Saturday night. Hannover 96 triumphed 2-0 (1-0) to hand the Lilies their first home loss of the season at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
Team News: Three Changes to the Team
Another top match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. On matchday 29 (April 11th/8:30pm), Hannover 96 visits Darmstadt. For the clash with their direct league rivals, Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. The suspended Lidberg and Klefisch are replaced by Lakenmacher and Papela, and Niklas Schmidt comes in for Marco Richter. Bartosz Bialek returns to the Darmstadt 98 matchday squad for the first time this calendar year after recovering from injury.
Matchday Guide: All Information before the Hannover Game
Once again at 8:30pm, floodlights, top match, and at the Bölle! On Saturday (April 11th/8:30pm), Hannover 96 visits Darmstadt, and once again two teams from the top five meet at Nieder-Ramstädter-Straße. What do the two head coaches have to say before the match? Who will be the referee? And who will be the commentator? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the game against the Lower Saxony side for you in "Matchday Compact."
‚A maximally cool situation‘
Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference ahead of the match against Hannover 96 (April 11th/8:30pm) about the fast-paced first game, the strong opponent, and the squad. We've compiled the most important statements from our head coach for you.
Lilies support the „HEART SAFE“ initiative
At their home game on Saturday (April 11th, 8:30pm) at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, SV Darmstadt 98 will send an important message. Together with the Björn Steiger Foundation and the German Heart Foundation, the club will promote the HERZSICHER (Heart Safe) initiative. The initiative aims to empower as many people as possible to perform CPR in the event of cardiac arrest through free 60-minute resuscitation courses. The German Football Association (DFB) is a cooperation partner.
At Bölle: ‚Lionel Richie Tribute Night‘ with Jimmie Wilson
An evening full of classics: At the "Lionel Richie Tribute Night" on June 27, 2026 (Saturday evening, doors open at 8:30pm), Jimmie Wilson will bring the greatest hits of the American soul singer live to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. A concert evening presented by SV Darmstadt 98 Stadion GmbH in a special atmosphere – whether for singing along, dancing, or simply enjoying the music.
Opposition Check: Hannover 96
“A colourful house, a monkey, and a horse” – Pippi Longstocking isn't the only one with these mascots; these two animal friends also feature in the mascot history of Hannover 96. The club has been supported by many different animals in the past, including a monkey and a horse.
