28.01.2025 / English,USA
US cooperation: Lilies at the NBA in Paris
A delegation from SV 98 at an NBA game in Paris? What initially seemed a little unrealistic became reality on January 23rd. The background to the visit is relatively easy to explain: Since July 2024, there has been a cooperation agreement between the Lilies, the football club San Antonio FC (SAFC) and Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E). SS&E is the operating company of the US second division team SAFC and the NBA team and five-time champions San Antonio Spurs.
At the invitation of the SS&E, Vice President Markus Pfitzner, sports director Paul Fernie and the two managing directors Martin Kowalewski (Marketing & Sales) and Tom Eilers (licensed player area) traveled to the French capital to exchange ideas with representatives of SAFC, the SS&E and the San Antonio Spurs and in the evening to attend the Spurs game against the Indiana Pacers. The game was part of the “NBA Global Games”, which since 1990 has ensured that one or two NBA season games are played outside of America almost every year in order to enable people on other continents to play live games from the best basketball league in the world.
Around 12 hours before tip-off of the game, the Lilien delegation went from Frankfurt to Paris, where there were a few appointments on the agenda before the game started. “The trip is another chance to strengthen our relationships within the joint cooperation. We’re looking forward to it,” Fernie explained before the trip began.
When we arrived in the city of love, we first went to the “NBA House”. Set up especially for the period of the two NBA games in Paris, the location offered the opportunity to learn a lot about the glorious history of the Spurs, test your own basketball skills at various stations or stock up on merchandising. The visit was also used for a short exchange with Jose Lizardo from SAFC.
Lizardo himself had visited the Lilies in Darmstadt the previous days and got an overview of the work of the SV 98 and the conditions at the Böllenfalltor. In Paris, the SAFC Operations Director was also accompanied by a delegation from the Spanish first division club UD Las Palmas, which is also linked to the Texas club on a cooperation level.
Following the impressive visit, the SS&E invited everyone to a joint meeting in their hotel. In addition to the representatives of the SAFC and the delegation from Las Palmas, the Lilies were able to have interesting discussions with Bobby Perez (Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel SS&E) and Joe Donnelly (Vice President of Corporate Development SS&E).
Perez: “It’s fantastic to meet our friends from Darmstadt here in Paris. Since the beginning of our joint project, we have been talking about the possibilities in the business sector, but of course also in the sporting sector. And in the short time we have worked together so far, we have already been able to address both topics. We can learn a lot from each other.”
From the hotel everyone then headed towards the Accor Arena, the venue for the NBA game in the evening. In addition to the sporting aspect, Victor Wembanyama in particular was the focus of interest around the game. The 21-year-old Frenchman and star player of the San Antonio Spurs was born not far from Paris and has now returned to his home region with his team. On the floor, the 2.21 meter tall giant was unimpressed by the hustle and bustle around him and contributed 30 points, eleven rebounds and six assists to his team’s 140-110 victory.
For the Lilies, the clear success of the Spurs was also the perfect end to a special trip with a great learning effect and special experiences, as Eilers explained on behalf of the team: “After an intensive day with lots of conversations, we ended the evening with this extremely interesting game. We would like to thank San Antonio FC and Spurs Sports & Entertainment very much for this very successful get-together and are happy to have met some new people.”
The Lilien in Paris
US-Website
You can now find all information about our cooperation with San Antonio FC and Spurs Sports & Entertainment in English on our new US subpage, which has been integrated into our homepage. There you will not only find out all the details about the partnership and the respective clubs, but you will also receive a lot of information about the cities of San Antonio and Darmstadt.
Season tickets for the 2026/27 season: All information is available here!
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
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.
Disappointment & pride
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.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
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.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
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.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
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.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
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.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
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.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
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".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
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.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
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.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
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.