A point against the league leaders. SV 98's U21 team earned a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt's U21 team. In front of 1,200 spectators at the Merck Stadium, Smail Kadrijaj secured a point with his goal in the 85th minute. In addition, Lilien goalkeeper Til Rohde saved a penalty shortly before the final whistle. Due to a traffic delay for the referee team, the match didn't kick off until 4:00pm.
The opening phase was evenly matched, with the visitors enjoying more possession but initially failing to create any significant scoring opportunities against a well-organised Lilien.
In the 14th minute, Frankfurt nevertheless took the lead: After a challenge, referee Rolbetzki awarded a penalty to the visitors, which Daniel Starodid converted confidently. With the lead in their backs, the league leaders took even greater control of the game, with most of the action taking place in SV 98’s half. The Lilien managed to repeatedly create pinpricks in transition play throughout the first half, but they never really threatened in the first half hour.
In the 36th minute, Frankfurt created a good opportunity, but Til Rohde made a strong reflex save to prevent Jonas Baur from scoring. Two minutes later, a scene changed the tide of the game: Frankfurt’s Jeremiaha Maluze was too late to challenge Mika Schlosser, and referee Rolbetzki showed the visitors‘ centre-back the red card. With fewer players, Frankfurt continued to retreat, and the Lilies gained more possession without creating any major opportunities before halftime.
After the break, the Lilies cornered the visitors in their own half of the pitch and repeatedly found open positions for crossing. The downside: all their crosses found no takers. After just over an hour, it was Frankfurt who created the first significant goal-scoring threat of the second half following a counterattack: Kaan Inanoglu missed from a free-kick in front of Rohde.
Then, the usual pattern emerged: Darmstadt had extremely high possession but no decisive finishes. That changed in the 79th minute: Following a free kick, substitute Nasir Zaatan shot from a tight angle and hammered the ball onto the post. An Eintracht defender cleared Smail Kadrijaj’s follow-up shot off the goal line.
The double chance marked the beginning of a furious final phase. In the 84th minute, referee Rolbetzki awarded another penalty. This time for the Lilies. Kadrijaj coolly equalised (85′).
The drama continued. Following a foul by Markus Ballmert, the visitors were awarded another penalty, but Til Rohde prevented another goal with a brilliant save from Starodid in the 89th minute.
There was no further goal in the hectic final minutes, and the Lilies secured a hard-fought point against the league leaders.
Frankfurt is a really strong team with individual quality. It was special for us to be able to play this game today at the Bölle in front of a large crowd. The boys played well with the advantage, and we're really happy to have taken the point. And also happy with the way we did it today. Overall, the performance was very good.
Line-Up: Rohde – Karakaya (Kunstmann, 64′), Schlosser (Zaatan, 64′), Kadrijaj, Klappich, Ballmert, Klappich, Herbst (Mignano, 77′), Rebner (Alagi, 77′), Görtler, Arnold, Pfister.
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.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.