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.
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.
U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.