In a media briefing on Thursday (September 11th), Paul Fernie spoke about the start of the season, the recent transfer window, goals for the current season, and the collaboration with Florian Kohfeldt. We've summarised the key points.
We’ve started well. I was already satisfied with the entire preseason, and now we’re looking back on five different games. A fantastic game against Bochum, a tough slog against Nürnberg, advancing in the cup, the extremely exciting 0-0 draw against Hertha, and a game in Kaiserslautern in which we executed our plan well for a long time but ultimately couldn’t pull it off. We’ve started well with the seven points. But nothing more. Now we’re looking forward to Braunschweig.
We can be very satisfied with the transfer window. We said we were focused on fine-tuning and avoiding further upheaval. We implemented that. It was important that we were able to continue working on our core strategy. The signing of Patric Pfeiffer and the timing of the signing were very important for us in this regard. We managed to retain our key players. There was interest, enquiries, and offers for various players. But we said we could only make it if an offer made financial sense in relation to a player’s sporting value. And it’s extraordinary that no player came to my office expressing a desire to leave the club. The players feel comfortable and believe in their development. At the same time, as a club, we are also dependent on sales. We were able to generate revenue with Karol, Filip, Oscar, Clemens, and Andi. It’s always important to find the right moment to sell. We did that well with these players.
The question of a season goal is, of course, a popular one among journalists. For me, it’s something multifaceted. Finding continuity and consistency, consistently delivering performances and scoring points—that’s one goal. We want to win games and develop players at the same time. That’s a daily goal, and then there’s a long-term goal. After four matchdays, it’s still difficult to assess. But we want to be better than last season—with the hope of a single-digit finish in the table. In both cases, that would mean that we have performed significantly better than our financial situation would suggest compared to the rest of the league.
Boring answer: Always getting better. In the hope that we can always take a step forward. Even if that means taking a step back sometimes. We can assess where we stand. It’s no secret where we stand financially compared to the rest of the league. That’s why we all have to be creative. We will do everything we can to achieve maximum success with the resources we have.
I really enjoy working with Flo. He’s a great fit for our style of play, and he fits in with the club. We’ve experienced a lot in the past 12 months: highs, lows, and everything in between. Flo is a brutally strong coach, but at the same time, he has the ability to be a human being and has a special level of interaction with players and staff.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: