Foto: Mara Wolf 05.06.2025 / English
U21: Successful debut season
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team had a remarkable first season in the Hessenliga, putting in a great performance. Even though they missed out on a slim chance of qualifying for the Regionalliga relegation playoffs on the final matchday (May 31) against Türk Gücü Friedberg, pride in a successful season prevails.
SV Darmstadt 98’s U21 team concluded an impressive 2024/25 Hessenliga season with an emotional final match against Türk Gücü Friedberg. In a 3-2 defeat, the young Lilies once again demonstrated their quality and passion – even if it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. A decisive victory by at least three goals would have even put the team in the relegation playoffs for promotion to the Regionalliga.
Promising start
The day began promisingly: Henry Held gave SV 98 the lead in the first minute with a spectacular goal. For much of the first half, the Lilies played good football, showing courage, presence, and enthusiasm.
In the second half, the visitors equalised through Vetter (48th minute) and later took the lead through Yikilmaz (64th minute). But head coach Daniel Petrowsky’s team showed their courage again: Markus Ballmert equalised in the 75th minute, equalizing at 2-2. Friedberg only managed to score the winner shortly before the final whistle through Polichronakis (86th minute).
Foto: Mara Wolf 
Foto: Mara Wolf 
Foto: Mara Wolf 
Foto: Mara Wolf 
Foto: Mara Wolf 
Foto: Mara Wolf We started the season with nothing – no team and no place. Today we're in sixth place in the Hessenliga, have the second-best defense behind Fernwald, and have promoted two players, Tim Arnold and Max Pfister, to the first team. That's a huge success.
Successful premiere season
Despite the result, SV 98 looks back on a fantastic debut season for the U21’s. Head coach Daniel Petrowsky draws a completely positive conclusion: „We started the season from scratch – without a team, without a place. Today we’re sixth in the Hessenliga, have the second-best defence behind Fernwald, and have promoted two players to the senior squad. That’s a huge success.“
The U21s were founded a year ago with the goal of giving young talent the opportunity to gain match practice in men’s football at an early stage. „It’s incredible to see the leap many players have made. We’ve not only established ourselves athletically, but have also received a lot of recognition from the league – that shows that our philosophy is working,“ said Petrowsky.
In addition to the positive sporting development, the coach also highlights his team’s learning curve: „A lot of it was new territory for us as a coaching team, too. But together we learned how to hold our own in the Hessenliga. And we did that with an incredibly young team. The way we played football makes us want more.“ Last but not least, strong performances like the narrow victories in Alzenau or at home against Baunatal, and combative performances like the one in the season finale, are symbolic of the team’s strength of character.
Lack of context
More than 30,000 fans packed the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, creating an impressive atmosphere under the floodlights – pure football romance. The setting for Darmstadt's away match against Dynamo Dresden was truly special. Two teams with a playful and attacking approach faced off. For 42 minutes, these ingredients combined to create an entertaining, tactically sophisticated, and intense duel. Until a referee's decision decisively influenced the outcome. We look back on an emotional evening in Dresden.
„The referee decided the game today.“
After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
Undefeated streak ends
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Team News: Three Changes to the Team
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
Matchday Guide: All Information for the Dresden Game
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Facts & Stats: The top facts about the Dresden game
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Fan Information for the Dresden Game
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
„Pure football romance“
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
“Now I’m happy in Darmstadt!” | Lilies launch their 5th tree planting campaign
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Opposition Check: SG Dynamo Dresden
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
5th Tree Planting Campaign: Register now!
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
U21: With renewed energy into the rest of the season
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.