Florian Kohfeldt extends contract
SV 98 and Florian Kohfeldt are moving forward together. The 43-year-old has extended his contract with the Lilies.
29.06.2024 / English
“The days went really well”
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.
… about the intensity in the training camp:
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.
… about the contents of the first training camp:
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.
… about his satisfaction with the team:
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.
... about cooperation in the sporting sector:
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.
… about the new additions:
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.
… about the integration of the new players:
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).
... about the coming days and weeks:
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.
… about the anticipation of the first test games:
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.
Fan information for the Münster game
The second consecutive away game, and the last of the season, is upon us. Once again on a Sunday (May 10th, 1:30pm), Darmstadt will be playing away – this time against SC Preußen Münster. Everything you need to know for your final away trip of the season to the LVM-Preußenstadion, about three and a half hours away, can be found here in the usual fan information section.
+++ 98th Baby | Bölle Gang at the traffic school +++
There's a lot going on at the Bölle. The 98th Darmstadt baby of 2026, along with their family, visited the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, and they weren't the only ones. Where else the Bölle gang has ended up, and many more news items about the club, can be found here in our "Lilies Across the Board" section, as every Wednesday.
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".