It starts again! On Sunday afternoon (August 4th/1:30pm) SV Darmstadt 98 starts the new 2024/25 second division season with the home game against Fortuna Düsseldorf. On the occasion of the first match day, the press conference before the game with Torsten Lieberknecht took place on Friday (August 2nd). The head coach of SV 98 answered questions about the mood in and around the club and the team, the upcoming opponent and the squad composition. You can read the most important statements here.
Personnel update: Alexander Brunst and Fabian Holland are out. The rest is fit and ready for use.
There is nervousness and tension, but also anticipation that things can start again. After all, we are all working towards finally getting started again. Nevertheless, every team that is at home in the professional sector first tries to find its rhythm in the first game. But we don’t want to take a long time to get used to it, we want to be ready right away.
We want to be a team back home at the Bölle that shows more strength at home. We are preparing for that. We want to cause surprises in this second league with the outstanding clubs. We play no role at all in the media in many areas across the country. But we are ambitious and sportingly responsible for ensuring that we have a greater presence. I have the feeling that something is growing together again within the team. I’m really looking forward to what’s coming up – namely accompanying the team through change and departure.
We have a good, tidy basic structure. The new arrivals have a high level of social skills to fit into the team. We now want to create identification by showing that all the boys leave their hearts on the pitch. And I am convinced that this is exactly what the boys want to embody.
Fortuna almost ended up in the first division last year because they have a good team. I would have loved it for them. Every team in the second division has its strengths and weaknesses. As is well known, Düsseldorf is always a block. But I’m glad that we’re playing against Fortuna Düsseldorf on the first matchday because it’s a real challenge. Fortuna played incredible test games in preparation. They won against Ipswich and Galatasaray. So they’ve dealt with the last season well and feel like attacking again.
It’s a good mix of anticipation, relaxedness and fun, but also concentration and competition. Overall I feel a positive mood. It was also extremely loud on the pitch this morning. So there is a good culture there and life in the troops.
We want to be a team that quickly builds identification. The club did a lot in the summer with fan festivals and various events – things that are hardly available at any other Bundesliga location. A certain tension has built up for everyone due to the transfers. The fact that 7,000 fans were there for the season opener against Swift Hesperange was an incredible sign. These were moments that confirmed the team that they were in the right place. The Darmstadt native likes to nibble. But he is friendly, correct and straightforward. But the Darmstadt resident is also someone who is there when he is needed. It starts again on Sunday. And we need all Darmstadt residents for that.
I wish Marv much success and good luck. I hope he will leave his mark in England, just as he has done here over the last seven years. It is clear that we are still looking for someone for the offensive position. But now I’m concentrating on the guys who are there. They showed a good final test match in the dress rehearsal against Coventry.
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:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.