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.
The second consecutive away game, and the last of the season, is upon us. Once again on a Sunday (May 10th, 1:30pm), Darmstadt will be playing away – this time against SC Preußen Münster. Everything you need to know for your final away trip of the season to the LVM-Preußenstadion, about three and a half hours away, can be found here in the usual fan information section.
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.