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.
Personnel update: Patric Pfeifer is suspended due to a red card. Luca Marseiler remains unavailable long-term. Matthias Bader (shoulder problems), Fraser Hornby, and Fabian Nürnberger (both thigh problems) will also be unavailable for Saturday.
I can’t speak for KSC, of course. But it’s clear that these are Christian Eichner’s last two home games for KSC. After such an incredibly long, successful, and influential period, that’s certainly something that many people around the club, and especially the team, will do a lot to give him a proper send-off. But we will, of course, do everything we can to win this game. Because, firstly, we always want to do everything we can to win games anyway. And secondly, and especially after the second half against Elversberg, we still feel the need to stay focused and continue to perform. It’s not as if anyone is letting up; we’re fully committed. And accordingly, I expect a game in which both teams will be playing for the win.
Fabi Holland and Hiro Akiyama did not train yesterday. For Fabi, it was a long-planned private appointment, and things are looking good for Hiro as well. Aleks Vukotic will play in place of Paddy on Sunday. There’s a chance that Fraser Hornby and Fabian Nürnberger will play again this season. It’s not critical for Fraser, but there isn’t much time left until the end of the season.
I believe it was the very first time I decided against starting Killi when he was potentially available. He’s been playing almost constantly through pain, and in recent weeks, he’s simply experienced a slight dip in form. You have to look at that objectively. Therefore, I wanted to give him the opportunity to regain some freshness so he can return to a better form for the final weeks. I think everyone here has seen over the past two years what he’s capable of when he’s injury-free.
We deliberately gave ourselves two days off to let Saturday night’s events sink in a bit. Our motto for the remaining season is: ‚Keep going.‘ And the lads are determined to show that they deserved their place at the top of this league for so long. You can see that mindset in them. And that’s why I’m completely optimistic that we’ll not only put in a good performance, but above all, that we’ll show freshness and, most importantly, radiate one thing: the hunger to win.
This week I taught my friend Paul Fernie, who speaks German extremely well but isn’t a native speaker, a new German idiom: „Man hat schon Pferde kotzen sehen“ (You’ve seen horses vomit). Therefore, it would be highly negligent not to see anything through to the end, even if we know it’s an unlikely scenario. But it’s a scenario we definitely want to do everything we can to make it happen. We’re not doing the math. We never have; we have to take it one game at a time. And that’s why it’s about winning. On Sunday against KSC. And then it’s about Münster. And then it’s about Paderborn.
I want to compliment Christian on his time at KSC. This isn’t his last game, but it is the last time we’ll play against each other in these colours. I’m absolutely certain he’ll reappear very quickly in German professional football, either in the first division or at a top club in the second division, because he’s a truly top-class coach. He’s been at KSC for over six years and has consistently managed to keep the team picking up points. They’ve now surpassed forty points again, which is certainly no small feat in this league. And he’s always managed, as I’ve perceived it, to create an incredible unity between the team and the coach. You always had the feeling that his players were doing everything for him. And I find that remarkable.
They’re a team that defines itself very strongly through set pieces. They have an outstanding striker in Marvin Wanitzek. They’re a team that has shifted its balance significantly towards attack in recent weeks. While they play with a back three, they also utilise attacking wingers, especially on the left with Herold or Burnic. They vary their build-up play with a back four, have very attacking central midfielders who are essentially attacking midfielders, and possess very good strikers who complement each other well. So, they’re a versatile team with one outstanding characteristic: they’re clinical. Karlsruhe is the most efficient team in the league, scoring the most goals with the fewest chances. And that’s something we need to pay close attention to.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.