26.02.2025 / English
„We give a lot for each other“ | Laying the foundation stone
The foundation stone was laid four years ago, and today the main stand of the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor shines in all its glory. We'll take you through a slideshow. In addition, Merveille Papela was available to the journalists in the latest media round. Of course, the ball also rolled on a variety of pitches and monitors. We report. You can read about all these and other topics in “Lilien Across the Board”.
+++ “We give a lot for each other” +++
One team. Merveille Papela emphasised this again and again in his media round with journalists on Wednesday (February 26). “We give a lot for each other and you could see that in the game against Schalke,” he said. In general, the success in the last home game was very important for the Lilies‘ morale. But in general the group also harmonises very well with one another. As a newcomer, it wasn’t difficult for “Mey” to find a connection in this group. SV Darmstadt 98 also made things very easy for him thanks to their “family feeling”. While Papela was initially used repeatedly as a substitute, he has been in the starting line-up continuously since Kai Klefisch’s injury. He is very happy to be able to help the team with his achievements. “I am a diverse player. You can’t really put me into one category of player. The number eight position suits me very well, but ultimately I just try to play my game and use my opportunities,” said Papela.
+++ Laying of the foundation stone four years ago +++
On Saturday (March 1st) it was four years ago that the foundation stone for the new main stand of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor was laid. The foundation stone capsule was filled with a Lily jersey from the 2020/21 season and a copy of the Darmstädter Echo dated March 1st. “It’s incredibly fun to watch the progress on the construction site. With every stone we lay, we come closer to our goal of adequate rooms for our spectators, sports, sponsors, media and security providers,” said Rüdiger Fritsch, President of SV Darmstadt 98, at the time.
From demolition to laying the foundation stone and construction to opening. In our picture slider we take you through the past years of our main stand:
+++ U17 gets their first win +++
Last weekend the U17s faced SV Sandhausen at home (22/02). In the second league game, SV 98 celebrated its first victory in the main round of the DFB youth league, winning 3-1. The U17s are in fourth place in their group. Next week (01.03/1pm) the Junglilien will go to the away game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, where hopefully the next three points will follow.
Although there was no league game last weekend, the U19s were still on the pitch. The Junglilien met TSG Wieseck in a friendly match. In the end, the Darmstadt team won 2-0 at home and are therefore looking positively towards the next competitive game on Saturday (01.03/2pm) against SSV Reutlingen 1905.
+++ Draw for the fan team +++
The “zwote Zwote” played its penultimate friendly game last Saturday (February 22nd) before the competitive games start again. The game against SV St. Stephan Griesheim II ultimately ended 4-4. After the Lilies were still behind 4-1 after 50 minutes, they were able to equalise the game again with goals in the 61st, 74th and 89th minutes. Again on Saturday (01.03/1pm) the boys will test in the last test match of the preparation at TGB Darmstadt. Things really get going for the SV Darmstadt 98 fan team a week later (09.03/3pm) in the district league C against TuS Griesheim.
You can find an overview of all upcoming games for the Lilien fan team here:
| Date | Kick Off | Match | Competition | Result |
| Sunday 02.02.2025 | 12.30pm | SG Arheilgen II – SV 98 | Friendly | 1:2 |
| Sunday 09.02.2025 | 12pm | SV 98 – SC 1910 Käfertal 2 | Friendly | 5:8 |
| Sunday 16.02.2025 | 4pm | SV 98 – TSV Bullau | Friendly | 13:4 |
| Saturday 22.02.2025 | 3pm | SV 98 – SV St. Stephan Griesheim | Friendly | 4:4 |
| Saturday 01.03.2025 | 1pm | TGB Darmstadt – SV 98 | Friendly | |
| Sunday 09.03.2025 | 3pm | TuS Griesheim – SV 98 | Kreisliga C | |
| Sunday 16.3.2025 | 1pm | FC Ober-Ramstadt II – SV 98 | Kreisliga C | |
| Sunday 23.03.2025 | 3pm | SV 98 – SV Weiterstadt II | Kreisliga C |
+++ eFootballers narrowly lose +++
The DFB ePokal was on the agenda for the SV Darmstadt 98 eFootball team last weekend. On Sunday evening (23.02/7pm) the eLilien met the defending champions from Leipzig. In the end, the Darmstadt team unfortunately lost by one goal difference (6-5 and 3-2) and were therefore eliminated.
The Virtual Bundesliga continues on Wednesday evening (February 26th). A double game day awaits our eFootball players. They will start at 5.30pm against SpVgg Greuther Fürth and will end the long evening after the following game against SSV Ulm. The eLilien are currently in eighth place in the table. With further victories in the coming games, South Hesse’s chance of taking part in this year’s playoffs would increase significantly. You can watch the two duels live again on Twitch.
+++ Former player and coach celebrates his birthday +++
233 games, ten goals and a total of ten years from 1975 to 1980 and again from 1991 to 1996 as a player for SV Darmstadt 98: Gerhard Kleppinger was a member of the Lilien family for a long time. After his playing career, the former right-back stayed in football as a coach. He also worked at SV 98 and assisted alongside Eckhard Krautzun for three years before moving with him to Viktoria Griesheim. In 2006, Kleppinger came to Bölle as an assistant coach and stayed for another three years before moving to FSV Frankfurt. From there he went to SV Sandhausen, where he held various roles from 2012 to 2024. He first worked there as an assistant coach, then coordinator of talent development, and also as interim and head coach. The former Lilien player and coach celebrates his 67th birthday on Saturday (March 1st). We wish you all the best and good health.
+++ A further Birthday to Celebrate +++
Found his way to Darmstadt in the summer and has already played five competitive games with the Lily on his chest. But then Paul Will injured his cruciate ligament. Every Lilien fan will be happy to see you on the pitch again soon. We wish you continued recovery. More than that. Will celebrates his 26th birthday on Saturday (March 1st). We wish you all the best on your special day, Paul!
„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.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
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.
Facts & Stats: The top facts about the KSC game
Lilies at the Wildpark! SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC this coming Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) for the 32nd matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. Will Darmstadt's positive record from recent encounters continue? Will Florian Kohfeldt and Isac Lidberg extend their scoring streak against KSC? And will Fabian Schleusener finally stop scoring against SV 98? We've compiled all the facts and figures for you.
Fan Information for the KSC game
SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC on Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) at the Wildpark Stadium for the 32nd matchday. To ensure you are well prepared for your trip to KSC, here is a summary of all the important information for your visit to the stadium.
+++ Relief train to Karlsruhe | Evening match for the U21 team +++
To ensure a smooth and convenient journey to Karlsruhe this weekend, SV 98 is offering a special train service that will transport Lilies fans directly from Darmstadt to Karlsruhe and back. Additionally, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team will host SV Hummetroth at their home academy this Wednesday evening (April 29th). For more news and updates, check out our usual "Lilien Across the Board" – all the latest news about the club, gathered here for you.
