The first of a total of two training camps in the Lilies' summer preparation was completed after five intensive days of training. After sometimes up to three sessions per day, the people of Darmstadt will return to their home in southern Hesse at the Böllenfalltor on Friday (June 28th). Time for a conclusion interview with the head coach of SV 98: We spoke to Torsten Lieberknecht about the content of the past week, about the new additions and the team chemistry. You can read the summarised statements here.
During the summer break we gave the boys a good plan so that in addition to the important regeneration they also had to complete a lot of intensive runs. Then we thought about how we would start this first phase of preparation and decided on this mix of running training camp as well as a lot of football content. That’s why it was immediately intense here from the first day – but with sense and reason. The point was that the boys were able to keep up with the sessions throughout the entire week despite the high intensity. And the boys really did a great job every day.
The focus was on us getting to know each other quickly as a new group. We have made some changes – not only within the team, but also the staff has changed and the roles have been partially redistributed. That’s why I wanted us not to wait long, but to get started straight away to get to know each other and rediscover each other in a certain way. In addition to the fitness work, the focus was on introducing and raising awareness of football content. In the latter, the focus was particularly on counter-pressing behavior – coupled with some other offensive topics that it was important for us to convey to the team early on. Overall, we were able to show the team how we want to present ourselves in terms of football in the coming season.
When you hear coaches talking about their training camps in interviews, you get the feeling that they always say the same thing: We are very happy and so on… (smiles). But it actually is like that. Our training camp was great. It wasn’t just about behaviour on the pitch, but also about how the players behaved as a group. And that’s when I noticed that a very good relationship had already been established at this extremely early stage. The boys talk a lot and the new players have been integrated very well. So I’m very, very happy with the days here in the training camp.
I find working together extremely pleasant. It’s the daily exchange. There is a great desire to get involved. To question things and find solutions together. But for me as head coach it is also important to give the new people the time to come in. That’s what this week here in Lautenbach was for. Overall, you can feel that everyone is slowly coming together. The week was very harmonious and goal-oriented for Darmstadt 98. I have often said about working with Paul Fernie that I really enjoyed working with him. He is someone who has a lot of ideas in his head and speaks to them directly.
It’s good that there are so many new players here already. The more players there are, the faster you can introduce your footballing ideas and train processes and automatisms. So it’s definitely a good thing that we already have a squad of this size, even if the squad planning isn’t finished yet.
It’s a testament to the current team that integration is so easy for the new ones. At the same time, it is also a positive characteristic of the boys who have joined that they can be integrated quickly. Both sides are important. But integration on the pitch is often easier when the boys realise: “Aha, there is someone who can really kick.” We also drew lots for room occupancy before we went to the training camp. And every day everyone arrived safely at the breakfast table in the morning… (laughs).
We planned the first two weeks so that the endurance area paired with football content was weighted in percentage terms at around 60/40 towards endurance. Next week, for example, counter-pressing will be an issue again. Because the opponents we face in the first test matches also allow us to start high. In the second phase with the training camp in Herxheim, the training plan will focus primarily on tactical content. Here the emphasis will go in the other direction, but without completely forgetting the athletic part.
It is really very important that we present ourselves in the region to show that we really embody fan proximity. As a team, we really appreciate how we as a club have been supported by our fans over the last few years. That’s why we want to present ourselves, build identification and ensure that our fans take away a positive feeling after last season. We also want to show ourselves in such a way that the test matches become celebrations for the small clubs too. Because I know how much organisational effort and how much voluntary work goes into it.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.