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.
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.