We caught up with Paul Fernie for an interview at the training camp in Bad Wörishofen. Our sporting director spoke about the conditions on site, the team's hierarchy, and the status of squad planning, among other things. We've summarised the most important points. You can also find the full interview in video form here.
I’m very happy. This is our first time in Bad Wörishofen. There are always three things that are crucial for us: the quality of the course, the regeneration options at the hotel, and the food. This ensures optimal training and recovery. All three criteria are definitely met here.
During preparation, the foundation is always laid in fitness. This applies particularly in the first few weeks, but will continue here in the training camp. The first focus is therefore intensity and robustness, in order to build injury resistance for the season. This week also offers optimal opportunities to further develop our game plan and consolidate certain patterns. There is also a lot of video content, which is just as important as the sessions on the pitch. Constantly being together is also very important. One should not underestimate the importance of building this spirit and creating a connection.
Something has developed over the past twelve months. Last season, the media frequently asked about leaders and leading players in our team. In my opinion, the old-fashioned type of leader who constantly shouts and leads everyone is rare these days. We place a lot of emphasis on personal development. We want to give the players we have responsibility, and then we’ll see who wants to take on that responsibility. A core is gradually emerging within the team, and I’m very pleased to see this progress.
It’s important to find the right balance between focus, performance, and enjoyment. And I see a team that works very focused and professionally, but also always has fun and enjoyment. And that’s incredibly important. We had a transition last season, and now it’s all about fine-tuning. And all the new signings have integrated very well; the team makes it very easy for them in that regard.
We’ve already made quite some progress, and I’m very happy with the things we’ve accomplished so far. The goal is always to have the squad as largely complete as possible by the start of the season. We’re at that point, but of course the transfer window is still open, and I don’t have a crystal ball to know exactly what might happen next.
I’m very happy that they’re both in training camp now and are getting a crash course in Darmstadt 98. Bartosz has a great finish and is strong in the air. We weren’t really in need of a centre-forward, but there are always situations where you have to make a decision about whether a player could help us. And that’s the case with Bartosz. Hiroki is very confident on the ball, a ball magnet. He’s resistant to pressure and ensures a certain level of control of the game. It’s obviously a challenge for him: a new club, a new country. But we’ve had good experiences with that recently.
I’m ready. Ever since the games were scheduled, we’ve had the first matchday against Bochum as our goal. There’s nothing better than being able to play the first game at the Bölle in front of our fans.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
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.