A thrilling match ends without a winner: Darmstadt and VfL Bochum drew 3-3 (2-2) in a captivating and entertaining game. The mood ranged from frustration at not securing two more points and dissatisfaction with their own shortcomings to a resulting sense of satisfaction with the away point. After the rollercoaster ride in Bochum, the players assessed their start to the second half of the season.
„For a neutral observer, it was a great start to the second half of the season in a very cool atmosphere. Could we win the game today? Yes, absolutely. Could we lose it? Yes, absolutely as well. A draw is therefore a fair result. There were phases where both teams could have taken control of the game. We definitely gifted Bochum their two goals in the first half with individual errors. The second half went more in Bochum’s favour, but we had one outstanding moment from Patric Pfeiffer and Luca Marseiler. Then we conceded the equaliser to make it 3-3 because Bochum pressed forward and created some real pressure. Shortly before the final whistle, both teams had a clear-cut chance with a header. Therefore, overall, a draw is a fair result.“
„I wasn’t quite sure where we stood. I saw 80 percent of what we wanted to do well today. In the first ten or fifteen minutes, we failed to prevent Darmstadt’s crosses and weren’t clinical enough. Darmstadt had some great chances and scored the goal. We were playing against the best team in transition today. That’s a huge challenge. Darmstadt can score at any stage and demanded everything from us. Nevertheless, I thought we were the better team. We managed to create chances and score goals. The third goal we conceded is incredibly frustrating, though. Overall, it was a decent performance from us, which gives me confidence for the upcoming challenges. I’ll take the point today.“
„Overall, we didn’t play well, but we still scored three goals. We have to be satisfied with the point because we didn’t play cleanly. In the first half, we had solutions, especially down the wings, but we didn’t capitalise on them. It was a wild ride: good for the spectators, but not for us, because we want to play differently. But you could also see the energy this stadium can generate. We could have done better today and won the game; the first two goals we conceded were symbolic of that. That’s why we’ll take the point.“
„Looking at how the game unfolded, we’ll take the point today. We had a few chances in the first half, but we practically gifted Bochum their goals. Overall, we didn’t do enough today, especially in the second half where we sat too deep and didn’t win enough challenges. We wanted to show much more with the ball, and we didn’t manage that for long stretches. We simply didn’t have enough possession. And when we did, we made poor decisions and didn’t execute the basics well. We had to sweat it out more than we wanted to today. We knew the atmosphere here in Bochum was great and that VfL Bochum have a strong presence in the penalty area. We conceded too many opportunities to Bochum.“
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.