A fast-paced start, a disjointed first half after Marcus Müller's sending-off. However, Darmstadt showed a different side at the start of the second half. After an early double strike in the second half from goals by Isac Lidberg and Niklas Schmidt, the team from southern Hesse cruised to a comfortable home victory.
„It was an open game with Kiel having a slight advantage as long as we were playing eleven against eleven. We could have fallen behind in the third minute, and although we did have some attacking moves ourselves, it was predictably difficult for us. Even though the red card helped us, it’s not always easy to play through that. We were very consistent and calm in our play until we were 2-0 up. Then we got a bit sluggish. But we recovered, and in the end, it was a deserved home win after a difficult week for us. A defeat can affect a team, but we handled it very well – especially considering the many key players we were missing. Schuh put it brilliantly in his pre-match speech: We’re not individual players, we’re Darmstadt 98. We knew we were up against a top opponent with a fantastic style of football. We had immense respect for them, and to win this game 2-0 is a huge joy.“
„Congratulations to Flo and Darmstadt on their victory. We made it easier for Darmstadt by playing with ten men. Nevertheless, even with one man less, we tried to give our all and invest everything. Up until the red card, we were playing very well, had scoring opportunities, and really should have taken the lead. After that, it was simply difficult. We worked hard and defended well. Therefore, I can’t fault my team. Apart from the result, I’m very satisfied with them. We’re on a very good path. And we’ll earn our luck.“
„After the red card, the game was really tough. We adapted our game very well in the second half, and the coach recognised that perfectly. We immediately felt we were creating a lot of chances and then scored the goals. Overall, we did very well in the second half. The team is very cohesive. Even when you win games, you honestly assess each other: what went well and what went badly. We’d be happy if everyone is fit; we need that now in this crucial period. You can see how deep the squad is and that you can rely on the lads.“
Regarding his goal:
„I’m happy about my goal, but I’m not going to go off on a tangent and take my clothes off in the locker room (laughs). I’m going to have a nice meal today. Tomorrow is for recovery, and then we want to win in Magdeburg.“
„The first ten to fifteen minutes were very evenly matched. Then, of course, the red card helped us push Kiel back into their own half. However, we didn’t create as many chances in the first half as we had hoped. After the break, we switched to a back four, and after that, it was a very one-sided game. Isac’s goal was the breakthrough, and we had further opportunities after that. It was an absolutely well-deserved victory. We are a very cohesive team where everything fits together very well.“
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.
SV Darmstadt 98 successfully completed their second pre-season friendly, defeating Verbandsliga side VfR Fehlheim 8-0 (4-0).
