05.01.2025 / English
Diary: From Snow to Sun
For the fourth time, the Lilies are taking part in their winter training camp in El Saler, not far from Valencia. The „Parador de El Saler“ with an adjacent training ground offers optimal conditions to prepare as best as possible for the upcoming second half of the season. The SV 98 will toil on the Spanish east coast until January 12th. In our diary we take you through the days in the training camp.
From snow to the sun
At 7am the Lilien entourage made up of the coaching team, players and staff set off from the Merck Stadium to Frankfurt Airport. The Lufthansa flight LH 1160 took off from there shortly after 10am towards Valencia. The plane took off in light snowfall and temperatures around freezing point, and landed almost two hours later at a pleasant 19 degrees. A change that was also perceived with goodwill by the players, as Clemens Riedel explained on behalf of them: „When I looked out of the window, I was surprised to see that there was snow. It’s even nicer to train here with the sun and the sea to be able to.“
At 1:15pm, the South Hessians entered the lobby of the „Parador de El Saler“ and immediately gathered for lunch before the tour group moved into their rooms. As soon as we were set up, we went to the training ground for the first time. A bit of fitness and some tactical procedures were on the agenda, then a check mark could be made on the first day.
As with previous visits, this January the Lilies will once again find optimal conditions for good preparation for the second half of the season. “The facility is very quiet, we are among ourselves, the place is right next to the hotel, the conditions are great,” summarised Riedel.
There are eight training sessions scheduled, plus the friendly match on Saturday (January 11th) against Swiss first division club FC St. Gallen.
In addition to the injured Paul Will, Matthias Bader and Isac Lidberg, the training camp also comes too early for Christoph Zimmermann. Fabian Holland is missing due to illness. Klaus Gjasula is not currently in training camp, but is holding talks with another club at his own request.
Training camp squad
1 – Marcel Schuhen 22 – Karol Niemczycki 30 – Alexander Brunst 2 – Sergio Lopez 5 – Matej Maglica 8 – Luca Marseiler 9 – Fraser Hornby 11 – Tobias Kempe 13 – Marco Thiede 15 – Fabian Nürnberger 16 – Andreas Müller 17 – Kai Klefisch 18 – Philipp Förster 19 – Fynn Lakenmacher 20 – Aleksandar Vukotic 21 – Merveille Papela 29 – Oscar Vilhelmsson 38 – Clemens Riedel 42 – Fabio Torsiello 44 – Nico Baier 47 – Othmane El Idrissi 49 – Asaf Arania
Til Rohde (U19) Max Pfister (U19)
Season tickets for the 2026/27 season: All information is available here!
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
Merck Autograph Session: With Pfeiffer, Klefisch and Lakenmacher
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Disappointment & pride
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Merx hat trick: U21 deservedly wins at Hünfelder SV
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
HBRS and SV 98: Cooperation extended indefinitely
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
„We must take the lead in the first half.“
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
Lilies lose in Karlsruhe
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Team News: Five Changes in the Team
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Matchday Guide: All Information before KSC Game
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Paul Fernie extends his contract long-term and moves up to a management position.
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.
„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“
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.
Opposition Check: Karlsruher SC
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.