Hans Kessler turns 75! |The tingling starts again

Without him, would SV Darmstadt 98 have anything to do with professional football today? Probably not. Hans Kessler: A very decisive personality in the history of Lilies. In September 2007 – in difficult economic and sporting times for the club – Kessler was elected president of SV 98. As the new Lilien president, he averted the threat of insolvency at the time and, thanks to structural changes and a realignment of the sports club, laid the foundation for sustainable, structural and economic recovery. Hans Kessler: As President from 2007 to 2012 and as a member of the Board of Directors from 2012 to 2015, he made invaluable contributions to our sports club. Next Saturday (August 3rd) Hans Kessler will celebrate his 75th birthday. We would like to say thank you once again for everything you have done for the Lilies and congratulate you on your special day, dear Hans!

“I’m glad that it’s starting now and the tingling is finally starting again,” emphasised Marcel Schuhen in a media round on Tuesday afternoon (July 31st). The SV Darmstadt 98 goalkeeper is looking forward to the new second division season – and especially to the first home game next Sunday (August 4th/1:30pm) against Fortuna Düsseldorf. “For me, this is one of the top 5 teams in the league,” explains Schuhen when asked about their opening opponents. New season. New challenges. However, the Lilies are well prepared for this. The number 1 in South Hesse said: “I have the feeling that something is emerging here again. We’ve got new guys who really want to step on the gas. You can see this in every single form of training and game. We have an ambitious team and want to collect results again.”

The final phase of summer preparation is over. And the U19s return from the familiar “Das Bischof” hotel with fresh energy – now ready for the upcoming season. “As in previous years, the conditions in Tauberbischofsheim were excellent. Great places, warm people and good food. We made the most of the time to prepare for the season. We’re going to Nürnberg next week,” said U19 head coach Patrick Kurt in a positive mood. He and his U19s start the new season with an away game at 1. FC Nürnberg. The last time the two teams met in the 2022/23 season there was a draw (1:1). How will we get the first points in the DFB’s new youth league?

Before the start of the season, despite the intensive preparation, there is also reason to celebrate: Today, Thursday (August 1st), Lilien head coach Torsten Lieberknecht will celebrate his 51st birthday! The native of the Palatinate took over the coaching position at SV Darmstadt 98 in 2021 and has since then made a significant contribution to the development of the team – unforgettable moments such as promotion to the Bundesliga in 2023 that will always be remembered. Lieberknecht has been on the sidelines of SV 98 for 107 competitive games and fully identifies with the sports club from Darmstadt. Dear Torsten, we warmly congratulate you on your special day and wish you all the best!

„Die Sonne scheint. Die Menge tobt und wartet auf ein Lilientor!“ Every Lily knows these lines and knows this song inside and out. Alberto Colucci, the performer of our ever-popular Lily hymn, turns 71 on Friday (August 2). Alberto, we warmly congratulate you on your special day and wish you all the best! Thank you for still delighting all stadium visitors at the Böllenfalltor with your melody and lyrics after more than 30 years! We wish you sunny weather and lots of goals from your favourite team in the coming season.

And the next member of the coaching team, please! On the Lilies‘ first matchday (August 4th) of the new season, our assistant coach Darius Scholtysik celebrates his 58th birthday. He has been part of the Lilien family since July and will have his first competitive game as part of the Lilies on the sidelines on his birthday. Darius, we congratulate you on your special day!