The SV Darmstadt 98 fan team also has a summer break! The “Zwote” played their last game of the season at FC Ober-Ramstadt II on Tuesday evening (May 28th), which they unfortunately lost 2-4. Nevertheless, the Lilien fan team finished in a good third place in the district league C Darmstadt. After the duel, we took the opportunity to talk to coach Andreas Degenhardt and look at the past and future season with him. He also explains why he is particularly proud to be able to train the second team.
Hi, Andreas! The second season in a row is over, which you finished in third place in the district league C. How satisfied are you with your team’s performance and performance?
Andreas Degenhardt: „Overall, we can be happy with where we are in the table, but I wasn’t always happy with our individual performances. But the boys are their own biggest critics and can assess that well. When we came out of the summer break, we had a small one dip in form and one or two injury problems. That had a noticeable impact on the team. Players had to play in positions that they hadn’t often played in. So I see that I still have a lot of potential for the coming season.“
Which game from last season do you particularly remember?
Degenhardt: „The second gameagainst TG Bessungen Darmstadt. We took the 2-1 lead in the 90th minute and then lost the game 2-3. That was highly emotional and unfortunately also a sticking point in the season pulled the plug on us a bit.“
What would you describe as the biggest challenge in the past season?
Degenhardt: „The biggest challenge for us was that after the 2022/23 season, some experienced players who had had a big influence on the team in previous years left us. These were guys who were not only important on the pitch, but also in the dressing room – especially with the way they spoke to the others. But family and professional reasons came together, so that some of them even stopped playing football. You definitely felt this change „It was the biggest thing we had to do with the second team so far. So the team first had to find itself again. It was just a matter of finding out who could take the floor in the dressing room or wake up the team.“
Last season was not successful for the professionals with relegation to the Bundesliga. You are all fans of the club too. How much did the Lilies‘ sporting failure affect the mood in the second team?
Degenhardt: „For us, the entire club and especially the first team obviously have a special influence. Especially after games like against Augsburg, you noticed that there was only one topic of conversation in the dressing room. And that was also in ours „We still wear the Lily with pride on the village sports fields every weekend.“
You have now finished your fourth season as a fan team. How much does it still motivate the boys to wear the Lily on their chest and the jersey of their favourite club? Or have you gotten used to it now?
Degenhardt: „That’s of course always a point with which we always motivate the boys by telling them: ‚Take a closer look at yourself. Look which logo is on your chest and which club is on the back of your jerseys!” For me personally, it is still an absolute highlight to send the boys onto the pitch every weekend with the main responsibility. There is simply nothing more beautiful for me. I’ve been going to the stadium for 20 years and now to be a small part of the bigger picture is really cool.“
I love all my boys because I know exactly what they love - and that's the same as me: the SVD!
What makes this team and the team so special for you?
Degenhardt: „Four years ago we were a mixed bag. And even today, people join us who we didn’t know at the beginning. But immediately there is this consensus for everyone: „SV Darmstadt 98″. It’s never the case that we have major problems with communication because we are all behind this club and we all have the same interest. I love all my boys because I know exactly what they love – and that’s the same as me: the SVD! makes it incredibly easy for me as a coach.“
Can you already predict what will change for the new season? Do you already have a goal for the season in mind?
Degenhardt: „The team actually stays together as much as possible. We’re only strengthening ourselves in certain areas. I’m generally not a fan of saying that we’ll be promoted next season. We simply have to invest too much for that every weekend. After all, it is always special for our opponents when we come. But we have now finished third in the C class twice. Our personal goal should of course be to perhaps be one place higher at the end of the coming season.“
Now it’s time for the summer break. Are there any plans yet as to when you will start preparing for the new season again?
Degenhardt: „We’ll start preparing on July 1st. We’ll also be going to a test game as part of the professionals‘ training camp. We’ll also have an absolute highlight game in the university stadium, at the former place of work of the Lilies in front of the chest. That’s why There will be one or two highlights and we are already looking forward to the upcoming 2024/25 season.“
Thank you for the conversation, Andreas!
The first highlight for the coming season has already been determined: On July 14th, the second team will face a selection team from TU Darmstadt in a friendly match. The game will be played in the University Stadium, which was the Lilies‘ home stadium from 1947 to 1952. Get your tickets now, capacity is limited to 998 spectators.
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.