Who is available and who is missing? How does Torsten Lieberknecht view the relegation battle in the Bundesliga and how does he experience his team in the game and in training? Before SV Darmstadt 98's away game at 1. FC Köln on Saturday (April 20/3:30pm), the press conference with the Darmstadt head coach took place on Thursday afternoon (April 18). We have noted the most important statements for you.
There is a big question mark behind Oscar Vilhelmsson, who suffered a blow in training. We have to see if he can train tomorrow. He was in a lot of pain yesterday and overnight. Braydon Manu is also out (torn hamstring). Alexander Brunst continues to struggle with muscular problems. He won’t be there, nor will Fraser Hornby, who is making progress. On the other hand, Tim Skarke and Julian Justvan have started training again. Like Fabian Nürnberger, all are an options for Köln. Marvin Mehlem took his first steps on the training field with little opponent and physical contact. We will look after his two fibula fractures with the greatest care so that we can carefully rebuild him.
The big bad news came on Monday that we would be missing Fabian Holland with a massive knee injury. This is extremely bitter for Fabi and of course for us too. Accordingly, I would like to say again here: Get well soon! He will probably have surgery next week. He will receive full support from us until he can stand on the pitch again.
We have an obligation not to give anything away under any circumstances. We are ready to approach and finish the games in a highly professional manner right up to the last match day. Our fans also had to go through a lot of disappointment this season: We also want to convey to them that we will never give up and will represent Darmstadt 98 well. The fact that 3,500 Lilien fans alone accompanied us to Köln is an incredible number.
The optimism has turned into realism for me. For a long time I rated the team in such a way that we had a real chance. But in the current situation – especially after the game at Mainz 05 – we know that realistically it will be very, very difficult. Nevertheless, I am optimistic about what comes next and what we have ahead of us.
I can only point to the game against Freiburg: everyone saw a team that lived in Mainz after the setback. They tried everything until the end to make the fans happy. There is also total life in training. All of our weekday sessions are public so everyone can see for themselves. In the game and also in training you can tell that the boys want to present themselves.
Köln has a very strong sprinting team – one of the strongest in the league. With Kainz, Alidou and Maina, they have a few guys in there who want to make their mark, especially in the transition game. Köln is also dangerous when it comes to standards. At home in front of over 50,000 spectators they are pushed forward by their audience. So I think they’ll come at us high and press us.
We dealt with Fynn very intensively in a timely manner. I spotted him at a game back then and I know that I wasn’t alone in the stadium at the time. Paul Fernie was sitting not far from me… (grins) Fynn will look good on us. He comes to us on a free transfer and is a 23-year-old player who can develop. It’s a good transfer for Darmstadt 98. He brings physical robustness. We were also impressed that he works very hard for his team.
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.