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.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.