07.01.2026 / English
Mediterranean & Team spirit
The winter break is over and Darmstadt 98 are already in Spain near Valencia, more precisely at the Hotel Parador de El Saler. The week-long training camp offers ideal conditions for athletic preparation for the second half of the season and is equally important for team cohesion. In this „Lilies Training Camp Edition,“ we take a look at the current situation in El Saler.
+++ Regeneration in the Mediterranean +++
Having just arrived at the training camp at the Hotel Parador de El Saler, the team first went to lunch and then straight to the pitch for their first session. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel to relax. The chilly eight degrees Celsius with wind and rain last Sunday (January 5th) wasn’t exactly a crowd-pleaser. Marcel Schuhen, however, had a completely different idea. Taking advantage of the short distances within the complex, he headed to the beach and promptly jumped into the Mediterranean Sea, which is quite cold for this time of year. But it was perfect for recovery: „The cold seawater with its salt content is even a bit healthier than a regular ice bath, as everyone knows,“ grinned the Darmstadt captain during a media briefing on the day of arrival.
+++ Matej Maglica followed suit +++
Due to illness, Matej Maglica was unable to attend the start of training on January 3rd and therefore couldn’t board the plane the following day. However, he has now recovered and was able to join the team on Tuesday.
He arrived at the hotel’s dining room with a smile. Today he’s training individually on the pitch. „He won’t be going from zero to 100 right away. But he’s feeling well and will ease back into it,“ said Fabian Holland, pleased with the Croatian’s arrival. Welcome, Matej!
+++ Finally back together! +++
Marcel Schuhen already missed him at training camp. Fabian Holland missed the last three pre-season camps due to illness or injury. Now he’s finally back, which is important not only for the team but especially for Schuhen. After all, the two have been roommates at training camp for many years. „Fabi left me a bit on my own,“ said the Darmstadt captain with a smile. They’ve shared a long history together. For the SV 98 goalkeeper, Holland is „an extremely important part of the group,“ who made it easy for him to integrate into the team when he first joined.
+++ The training camp match +++
When evening arrives, it usually means the players have no more appointments. Everyone can then manage their time as they wish. „Of course, we also use the time off the pitch to do things together,“ Fabian Holland explained in a media briefing on Wednesday (January 7th). A particular favourite is the card game „Wizard,“ which has become a regular fixture in the evening plans of the Darmstadt professionals at their training camp. „Over the years, Schuh has won the most,“ Holland admitted. But he’s also the type of guy who’s ambitious even in the smallest games and can’t stand losing. „That’s just his character,“ Holland added. Such evenings together strengthen the team spirit. Holland said it’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves. And what about his own ambition? Holland is probably too much of a professional for that: „When you’re playing games like that, of course you want to win.“
+++ Traveling a lot +++
Sergio López was probably one of the players who traveled the most during the Christmas season of 2025. The holiday „Día de los Reyes Magos“ (Three Kings‘ Day) on January 6th is a particularly important day in Spain, as it’s traditionally when presents are exchanged. Since López has always trained on this day for years, usually at a training camp, he can’t spend it with his family. Therefore, his Christmas celebrations are moved forward to December 25th. For him, this also means that at the beginning of the winter break, he first traveled to Spain to enjoy Christmas with his family. After New Year’s, he returned to Darmstadt for the start of training, before flying back to Spain for another training camp shortly afterward. Then it’s back to Germany, where everyday life resumes. But for family man and professional footballer López, this isn’t a problem.
Facts & Stats: The top facts about the Dresden game
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Fan Information for the Dresden Game
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
„Pure football romance“
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
“Now I’m happy in Darmstadt!” | Lilies launch their 5th tree planting campaign
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Opposition Check: SG Dynamo Dresden
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
5th Tree Planting Campaign: Register now!
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
U21: With renewed energy into the rest of the season
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
Analysis of the home victory: The resistance fighters from Bölle
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.
Krombacher Böllenfalltor GOAL bonus
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
„We held onto the belief in victory until the very end.“
In an intense 90 minutes between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Lilies fought back to secure three points shortly before the final whistle. The early lead taken by the team from southern Hesse was quickly erased by the Rhinelanders. The match became increasingly wild and physical. The second half remained evenly contested, but in the end, SV 98 once again demonstrated their fighting spirit: Matej Maglica's late header sealed the three points. What do the players and the two head coaches have to say about this thrilling encounter? We've compiled all the post-match reactions.
Home win! Impressive winning streak continues at Bölle
SV Darmstadt 98 remain a force to be reckoned with at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! The Lilies defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 (1-1) on matchday 23. It's their sixth consecutive home win, bringing their total to 45 points. Hornby opened the scoring for the home side after just seven minutes, before Maglica (88th minute) netted the decisive goal in the second half.
Team News: Hornby and Lidberg Start
Darmstadt host Fortuna Düsseldorf! Florian Kohfeldt has made four changes to his starting lineup. Fraser Hornby (returning from illness) and Isac Lidberg (recovering from a thigh injury) return to the starting eleven, replacing Luca Marseiler and Merveille Papela. Niklas Schmidt starts in place of Hiroki Akiyama, and Fabian Holland replaces Fabian Nürnberger, who is unavailable due to a minor thigh injury.