About the current situation of the Lilies. About training impressions as well as positivity and conviction. About the upcoming opponent and the upcoming game. Florian Kohfeldt spoke about exactly these and other topics at the press conference on Friday afternoon (February 21st). Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against FC Schalke 04 (23.02/1:30pm), the head coach was available to speak to the journalists present. We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader, Paul Will, Christoph Zimmermann, Fabian Nürnberger, Jean-Paul Boetius and Kai Klefisch as well as Philipp Förster are out. Fraser Hornby, Sergio Lopez and Oscar Vilhelmsson returned to team training this week.
Schalke won against Karlsruhe last week and has a full squad available. Under Kees van Wonderen they have gained basic stability in the last few weeks and months. Overall, they have a team with incredible offensive quality. They have players in their ranks who can decide games. The first leg is currently not an issue in our minds. Both teams were in completely different phases back then. This was a game that comes around maybe once every 20 years. It was a special evening in which many factors came together.
Goals. Because everything in football boils down to that. We need mental stability. We still need our very proper defensive and offensive structure. In the last few weeks we have allowed the opponent far fewer chances to score. Now we have to finalise it defensively and offensively. We should not allow these few opportunities to happen. We have to score the goals ourselves from the currently not so many opportunities of our own – even if they are still there.
We are optimistic. Because we were able to welcome one or the other back this week. Because we bring a lot of factors to the pitch that suggest we break away. We also brought a very good mentality to the pitch in Braunschweig and really tried everything again when we were outnumbered. Overall, we are showing a very high level of willingness and there is a positive mood in the team that we want to turn it around as quickly as possible. You also notice that the boys‘ interaction on the pitch is quickly returning. Overall we are positive for the game on Sunday. We haven’t won too many games, haven’t scored points in too many games and we want to end this phase as quickly as possible. And there is little better opportunity than to do so on Sunday in such a traditional duel.
We generally never do the same thing in training every week. Situations change every weekend in football. Therefore, we train appropriately for the situation. We think from day to day and week to week about what the team needs and what is best for them. My impression of the team is that we are very stable. The boys talk to each other and not about each other. You are absolutely willing to push yourself to the limit and do whatever it takes to be successful. It is also positive that this is rewarded. The fans don’t question that the team is giving it their all. There is no sign that we are falling apart. Instead, we continue to have great solidarity and great willingness. Therefore, my address to the team remains positive and encouraging. Still, I don’t touch anyone with kid gloves. If something doesn’t fit, it will be addressed clearly. But I don’t see anyone in the dressing room who doubts. Rather, there is still self-confidence and clarity. We have to maintain the positivity and belief.
It’s a good signal that Paul managed to extend early with a cornerstone of our team. Schuh is crucial for us with his personality, his experience and, above all, his performance. The extension also shows that the Lilies have a certain radiance. Schuh is an important building block for the next few years. The contract extension is therefore very good news for the present and the future of SV 98, which I am very happy about.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At the end of the current season, the partnership between SV Darmstadt 98 and Software AG, which has grown over many years, will end due to a strategic realignment of the software company.
The DFB sports court has suspended Patric Pfeiffer for one match following his sending-off against SV Elversberg.
Four goals, three points, and a well-deserved victory in the Hessenliga! At home against VfB 1905 Marburg last Saturday (April 25th), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team finally celebrated a win after a long wait. Thanks to their confidence, assertiveness in one-on-one situations, and numerous scoring opportunities, the U21s convincingly beat the Marburg team 4-0.
As Florian Kohfeldt approached the team's dressing room at halftime, the Darmstadt head coach heard exactly one sentence: "It's not finished." Fraser Hornby had uttered it, setting the tone for his teammates and himself. What followed was a remarkable second half from Darmstadt 98 and a point against SV Elversberg, a point that, while likely insufficient for their promotion hopes in southern Hesse, nonetheless filled the Darmstadt fans with pride.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.