Diary: Adiós!

3:41pm.  The plane touches down on the runway. The Lilies have arrived back in Germany. Having boarded the plane under sunny skies, they had to unpack their winter jackets again upon disembarking in sub-zero temperatures. „Unfortunately, we can’t take the temperatures with us,“ joked Florian Kohfeldt before departure.

Before boarding the bus that took everyone to Valencia airport, a photo was taken with the SV 98 staff, players, and officials, along with the hotel staff. A big thank you goes to them for all their hard work, effort, and hospitality.

The training camp at the Parador de El Saler once again offered excellent conditions for preparing for the second half of the season. The first two days were spent training under overcast skies and rain showers, but from then on, the weather steadily improved, much to the delight of SV 98. Despite the initial rain, „we were able to train very well. We had outstanding conditions at the hotel. Overall, the conditions were once again superb,“ ​​said Florian Kohfeldt after a week of intensive preparation.

The Lilies have eight training sessions under their belts this week, in addition to the two friendly matches against Wehen Wiesbaden. „We have a lot to do next week to be well prepared for Bochum,“ Kohfeldt knew immediately after the final whistle of the second friendly, aware of the work ahead. Now, with full concentration, the focus shifts back to the daily grind of league play. And with that, we say goodbye and conclude this diary. Adios!

Departure at 10:20am. From the Hotel Parador de El Saler, the team traveled by bus to the Oliva Nova Sports Center, a good 66 kilometers away. This was how the Darmstadt 98 squad set off on Saturday morning to play their second and final friendly match of this training camp against SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Under the Spanish sun, which beat down on the training ground at a pleasant 18 degrees Celsius (greetings to chilly Darmstadt…), Bartosz Bialek put Darmstadt 98 ahead 1-0 shortly before halftime, assisted by Marco Richter. „The first half was decent,“ Florian Kohfeldt concluded.

After the break, Marco Richter scored a spectacular left-footed shot to give Darmstadt a temporary two-goal lead, but Darmstadt allowed Wehen Wiesbaden several good opportunities. The third-division side then pulled one back. „In the second half, we made too many mistakes in our build-up play and conceded chances. That wasn’t good,“ lamented the Darmstadt 98 head coach. Kohfeldt continued: „Nevertheless, I’m happy that we found a way to win the game.“ He is well aware, however, that the team and coaching staff have a lot of work ahead of them next week before the competitive season of 2026, and thus the second half of the second division season, kicks off away at VfL Bochum on Sunday (January 17th, 1:30pm).

You can read the match report of the 2-1 friendly win against Wehen Wiesbaden here. You can also watch the full 90 minutes again on the official SV Darmstadt 98 YouTube channel. Those who prefer to see only the goals scored by the Lilies should fast forward to minute 52:45 for the Bialek goal and minute 01:39:00 for the Richter goal.

The week – and with it, the training camp – is slowly drawing to a close. At least, the Lilies completed their final training session today here at the Parador de El Saler. But spending a few days near Valencia without experiencing Spanish cuisine would have been unthinkable.

So it was all the more fitting that the participants of the fan trip organised by SV 98 were visiting the team hotel today. In perfect weather, they cooked paella together on the sunny terrace under the guidance of the hotel staff. „If you’re in Valencia, you have to try paella. After all, the dish originates here,“ explained Alexander Lehné, SV 98’s fan liaison officer.

A particularly nice touch: Sergio López couldn’t resist lending a hand with the preparation. „These kinds of events with the fans are always fun. It’s a way for me to share a little bit of my Spanish culture with the Darmstadt fans,“ he explained. At first, the guests were a bit hesitant, but after the hotel’s expert demonstrated the first step, a few ventured to try their hand at the large pans.

It was a first for López, too. „I hope I did a good job. I didn’t help much, but I did a little,“ he said with a grin, before proudly adding, „My wife makes excellent paella at home.“ So he’s not completely clueless. He explained each step to the guests whenever they had questions. And when he reached his limits, the hotel staff stepped in, and López took over the translation.

When the author of these lines asked him what absolutely had to be included in paella, he replied with a laugh: „Don’t forget the rice!“ Thanks for that tip! The Spaniard then explained that paella can be prepared in many different ways. „It starts with the question of whether to use chicken or seafood. In the end, you can customize it to your liking.“

For the accompanying lily-loving fans, the afternoon thus became a mix of conversations with Lopez, insights into Spanish cuisine, and, of course, the most important part: tasting their own homemade paella.

Back on the training pitch. Time flies. This afternoon, the team took to the grass in El Saler one last time to lace up their boots for a training session. „It’s a shame we have to leave here. But we’re also looking forward to Darmstadt and are now focusing on Bochum,“ said Lopez. Since the second and final friendly against Wehen Wiesbaden is scheduled for 1pm tomorrow, a classic final training session was on the agenda today. „We started with a warm-up, then moved on to passing and possession drills. Finally, we played some free-flowing football,“ the right-back summarized the session.

In the evening, it was simply a matter of eating, recovering, and recharging before the last full day of training camp in Valencia tomorrow.

On day five, El Saler once again showed its best side. With a light breeze, but blue skies and sunshine, the Lilies put in two hard training sessions today. Around 40 Darmstadt supporters watched the afternoon session from the fence of the training ground. Eighteen of them had traveled as part of the fan trip organized by SV 98, while the others had made their own way to Spain to support the team in Valencia.

The participants of the fan trip landed today, attended training, and this evening enjoyed a fan gathering at the team hotel. They will watch the friendly against Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday and the LaLiga match between UD Levante and Espanyol Barcelona live at the stadium on Sunday, before their return journey on Monday.

“We really appreciate that the fans make this trip. It shows how close-knit this club is,” said Kai Klefisch, clearly delighted by the support. Following training, a relaxed and convivial fan evening took place on the terrace of the team hotel, where the players, coaching staff, and the entire board had the opportunity to chat with the traveling supporters. Over snacks and drinks, the players mingled with the guests. The Darmstadt fans took the opportunity to take photos, share anecdotes, discuss the finer points of the game, and laugh together. “The players are right in the thick of things – I really like that,” said President Markus Pfitzner about the event.

But he wasn’t the only one who shared this opinion. „I find it fascinating. You can have a normal conversation with the players; they’re really approachable and very down-to-earth,“ said Susi Hofmann, a long-time Darmstadt supporter. She wore a blue scarf with the white inscription „Siempre a tu lado“ around her neck – which translates to „Always by your side.“ It was an exclusive fan scarf for all participants of the fan trip. She also brought her white Darmstadt 98 T-shirt to take advantage of the special opportunity and collect as many autographs as possible. „I grew up with Darmstadt. I’m a regular at the stadium, and being here now and meeting everyone is simply fantastic,“ Susi continued.

She perfectly exemplifies what Kai Klefisch had described earlier: „It’s always overwhelming to meet the people here, to see how much passion they have and how much the club means to them. We try to give that back with our performance.“

Experiencing this family atmosphere, not in separate groups but as one unit of fans, players, and officials, also delighted Pfitzner: „An evening like this shows what Darmstadt 98 stands for. Here, very different people come together, all sharing a common cause in their hearts: SVD and our Lilies. It’s impressive what our supporters go to in order to be a part of it. I have great respect for that and am very happy about it.“ An evening that once again demonstrated how special this Lilies family is. On and off the pitch. Thank you to everyone who was there.

Lilies bloom in El Saler

After a total of five training sessions and a friendly match, the team had their first free afternoon at the training camp this Wednesday. The Spanish sun shone brightly over the landscape around El Saler. What could be more natural than using the time to explore the local flora? The author of these lines did just that. And one particular feature caught his eye:

40 to 50 centimetres tall. Large, deep-lying, and multi-layered bulbs. 25 to 50 centimetre long leaves covered with a waxy coating – adapted to heat, wind, and salty air. Flowers that smell of summer. When people talk about Lilies here in the Valencia region, more precisely in El Saler, they usually mean this very plant: the sea Lily, botanically known as Pancratium maritimum. A white flower that grows wild in the dunes of the Devesa del Saler and is considered a symbol of Mediterranean coastal flora. So it’s no wonder that our inquiry about the sea lily at the hotel reception was answered less botanically and more personally. The staff member there said with a smile: „My mother loves these plants.“

It only blooms in summer – usually from July to mid-September. Consequently, it’s difficult to find during this time of year. The sea daisy needs plenty of sun and well-drained, sandy soil. This is exactly what it finds here on the Mediterranean coast. Its importance extends far beyond its beauty. These plants help to stabilize the sand on the beaches and prevent it from being washed away uncontrollably. In this way, they protect the delicate dune landscape. Therefore, it is particularly important that they are respected and protected. The Spanish „Ley de Costas,“ the Coastal Protection Law, even stipulates hefty fines for violations.

And after this relaxing afternoon, we conclude: We’ve learned something new again…

Turtles on the beaches of Valencia

But let’s rewind to the beginning of the day. Right on schedule at 8:21 a.m., the sun rose in El Saler. Standing on the beach, I was treated to a magnificent sight, almost creating a romantic atmosphere. A moment that could easily have been missed. Then, a sign about sea turtles on the grounds of the Parador de El Saler caught my eye. My attempt to decipher the Spanish inscription proved unsuccessful, but it piqued my curiosity and led to some fascinating information.

What was almost unimaginable a few years ago is now a reality: sea turtles are increasingly thriving on the beaches of Valencia. In the past two years alone, 17 nests have been discovered in the region – two of them right here in El Saler.

In the summer of 2023, almost 500 sea turtles hatched on the beaches of Valencia, including here in El Saler. The mild to warm climate offers ideal conditions for incubating the eggs. Loose, warm sand and gentle beach slopes allow the turtles to build their nests deep and far from the water.

Sea turtles play a vital role in the ecosystem. They contribute to the healthy growth of seagrass meadows, and even the remains of eggs or hatchlings that don’t make it to the sea enrich the coastal soil through decomposition. However, their struggle for survival is harsh: only about one in 1,000 turtles reaches adulthood. Many die on their way to the ocean. One of the greatest dangers remains plastic waste. It is often mistaken for jellyfish – with fatal consequences for the animals. This makes the work of the sea turtle conservation services in Valencia all the more important, as they are dedicated to protecting and preserving the lives of these special and vital creatures.

As interesting as the insights into the flora and fauna of the Spanish Mediterranean coast may be, we are all looking forward to tomorrow, Thursday, when we will be working hard in El Saler in a double session, both in the morning and afternoon…

It makes getting out of bed so much more enjoyable. Blue skies, the sun is shining – finally, we’re feeling the change in the climate we’ve been longing for. You could almost say the sun has arrived at the perfect time. Because today, Tuesday (January 6th), is a special holiday in Spain: the „Día de los Reyes Magos,“ or Three Kings‘ Day. For many Spaniards, it’s the most important day of the Christmas season. Unlike in Germany, where Santa Claus delivers presents on December 24th, in Spain it’s the Three Kings who bring joy to families and, above all, bright-eyed children on January 6th.

Sergio Lopez is spending this day with Darmstadt 98 at their training camp in the Hotel Parador El Saler for the second time. „I’ll be calling my family via video call,“ he told the media. The right-back has been used to not being able to spend the holiday with his family for several years now: „I’ve always had training. First in Madrid, then in Basel, and now here with Darmstadt.“ His family didn’t have to miss out on Christmas Eve entirely, though. „We used to always celebrate on January 6th. Now we celebrate on December 25th because I want to be there,“ Sergio explained.

Whether there will be no presents at all today remains to be seen. Perhaps there will be cake this evening… Traditionally, the Roscón de Reyes – or „King’s Wreath“ – is part of the Epiphany celebrations. It’s a ring-shaped cake made of yeast dough, in which a small porcelain figurine and a dried bean are hidden. According to tradition, whoever finds the bean has to pay for everyone’s next cake. Whoever finds the figurine, however, is crowned „king.“ Sergio isn’t completely unprepared this day, though. He says with a laugh that he’ll give his roommate, Kai Klefisch, „maybe a little kiss“ as a gift.

Besides the Spanish festivities, the first friendly match of the training camp against Wehen Wiesbaden took place on Tuesday afternoon. The Lilies set off by bus for Oliva Nova at midday. Even though the friendly ended in a 1-0 defeat, it was still a good test. „The main thing was to get the lads into a rhythm; the result is secondary,“ emphasised Martin Heck, assistant coach of SV 98, after the match. You can read more about the game in our match report.

The first full day at the training camp in the Parador de El Saler has come to an end. Before the boys could begin their first training session, however, they first had to overcome a small obstacle to even reach the training pitch. The rain in El Saler had created a large puddle in front of the entrance, which the Lilies had to carefully navigate around. After successfully overcoming this obstacle, Merveille Papela asked the perfectly valid question: „What’s happening in Spain?“

The first order of business on the pitch was a warm-up to prepare for the intense session. Then it was straight into the first drill, which focused on passing. After that, the focus shifted to ball recovery. The intensity was palpable – every ball was contested. Florian Kohfeldt, a stickler for detail, frequently paused the training to give specific instructions. It rained again during the second session of the day, but that didn’t dampen either the enthusiasm or the intensity. The Darmstadt players began with several drills combining passing accuracy and dribbling. This was followed by a training exercise where players were encouraged to quickly transition from passing to attacking play. So much for the sporting aspect.

Now comes the crazy, yet somehow wonderful part of this diary entry. It happened between training sessions, during a well-deserved lunch. At first, everything seemed quite normal: one by one, the players went to the buffet and filled their plates. As the dining hall slowly emptied, however, Sergio López, Hiroki Akiyama, Kai Klefisch, Yosuke Furukawa, and Isac Lidberg stayed seated together a little longer. And suddenly, the small group began to clap – and started singing „Happy Birthday.“ Surprisingly, none of the five had a birthday. But the group was connected to someone via FaceTime.

On the other end of the line was none other than Frank, Isac Lidberg’s dog, who is celebrating his 10th birthday today, Monday, January 5th. „It was Sergio’s idea to call via FaceTime and sing Happy Birthday because he loves dogs,“ Isac tells us with a broad grin. Frank is a French Bulldog who has been by the striker’s side for many years. „He’s very special to me. We’ve lived together for ten years, in four different countries and seven different cities,“ the Swede continues. „I bought him when I was 17, after I signed my first contract with Hammarby,“ the now 27-year-old recalls.

And what could be a better birthday present? A big steak, of course. Frank was at least as interested in one thing as the birthday song: the food, as Lidberg reports with a laugh. We also send our warmest congratulations from the training camp in El Saler.

At 7:00am, the Darmstadt 98 contingent of coaches, players, and staff set off from the Merck Stadium to Frankfurt Airport. From there, Lufthansa flight LH 1160 departed for Valencia at 10:34am, slightly delayed.

Even before takeoff, the first training camp anecdote was written, as club member and avid Darmstadt fan Sebastian Zaunert had been assigned as the pilot for the team’s journey. Head coach Florian Kohfeldt and sporting director Paul Fernie presented both the captain and his son Jakob with signed jerseys at the gate and chatted casually with the two season ticket holders.

A little later, Captain Zaunert and team captain Marcel Schuhen met. The perfect place for this encounter? The cockpit, of course. Naturally, before the plane even took off.

„I’d never been in a cockpit before, it was a cool moment. So many buttons, very impressive. Nevertheless, I still prefer a captain’s armband to a captain’s hat,“ Schuhen summarised with a smile on Sunday evening, referring to the special experience, which was to be followed by a picture-perfect flight to Valencia.

Shortly after 2pm, the team from southern Hesse entered the lobby of the „Parador de El Saler“ and immediately gathered for lunch before settling into their rooms. Barely settled in, they headed to the gym for some warm-up exercises and then onto the training pitch for the first time.

A few passing drills were followed by a roughly 20-minute scrimmage, after which the sporting portion of the training camp’s opening session concluded.

As with previous visits, Darmstadt 98 are once again finding ideal conditions for a successful preparation for the second half of the season. „We have everything we need here. The hotel’s proximity to the pitch is important for us players, and the gym is also very good,“ said Schuhen, who added: „We want to refine things, Flo will give us some points to work on, and then our focus will already be on the match in Bochum.“

In addition to numerous training sessions, the team will also play two friendly matches in Oliva Nova against SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the coming days (January 6th at 3pm and January 10th at 1pm).

Paul Will and Matej Maglica did not travel with the team today due to illness, but both may join them later in the week.