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.
With new coach Sebastian Schmitt at the helm, the U21 team kicks off the second half of the season after the winter break, aiming to improve their league position. „We used the time to gain clarity on the various phases of the game,“ explains the 32-year-old, reflecting on the recent preseason. He emphasises the importance of players knowing precisely „how they should be positioned and what options they have in the respective areas.“ This allows each player’s individual quality to be showcased to its fullest potential. The SV Darmstadt 98 U21s open the season with a home match against fourth-placed Türk Gücü Friedberg. Friedberg has proven to be a strong team so far this season, making the home game a challenging task for the young Lilies.
Schmitt still sees potential for development primarily „in risk assessment when playing with the ball.“ For the defensive game, clear basic formations have been developed for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, intensive friendly matches provided the new coach with additional insights. For the second half of the season, one thing is paramount: collecting points. „We are satisfied with the past few weeks, but ultimately, the goal now is to collect as many points as quickly as possible, alongside developing the young talent,“ said Schmitt.
There were also some changes to the squad. Manolo Merx and Mark Meier were promoted from the U19 team and, according to Schmitt, „are playing a good role in the team.“ At the same time, the weekly schedule was made even more focused on match days, and communication within the youth academy was further intensified. „We feel the support throughout the entire academy,“ he emphasised.
The team is now looking forward to the start of the season after the winter break: „The test matches were good and showed us many things, but we are happy that it’s now about points.“ The objective for the remaining games is clearly defined: to introduce young players to the senior level at an early stage and at the same time collect the necessary points to establish a stable position in the league.
On Friday evening (February 27th), Darmstadt will try to secure a victory against Friedberg on their home turf. Kick-off is at 7:30pm on the artificial turf pitch at Kastanienallee 61 in 64289 Darmstadt.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.