Wednesday also had two units for the Lilies. While the professionals groaned and sweated in the background, Paul Fernie was available to media representatives for a media round during the morning training session. The conditions in the training camp, the squad and the general mood around SV 98 – many topics were discussed. The sports director commented…
We have everything we need here to get better. Hotel, nutrition, regeneration, a short walk to the sports field, weather. Now it’s about delivering performance.
The new recruits have integrated quickly and have delivered their performance so far. We are in a process of getting to know each other and building relationships. We are generally in a “growing together” phase at all levels in and around the club. Not just within the team, but also when it comes to the team and fans, as well as the team and the club. Days like last Saturday, for example, help enormously when we had a fan festival together at the stadium.
The position on the left is still open. We are in one conversation or another, but we want to make the right decision. We are not under time pressure where you might make mistakes. We would rather take the time necessary to find the right person.
There is a loose request for Marvin, but as of now there is no concrete interest in any of our players. I’m looking forward to all the guys who are here. We want to keep top performers like Marvin and will do everything we can to ensure that he stays. But the transfer window is still open for a little longer, so we have to be prepared for everything that comes.
The players must want to show: “Everything for the club”. Heart and soul, passion, energy, intensity, activity on the pitch. This is what Torsten and his coaching team expect from each individual. On and off the pitch. It is important to find the right types. It’s not just about football talent; there are several facets to squad planning. The human component is also extremely important. What we all want to see is heart and passion.
When I started out, the negative experiences of the season were already noted, and that’s only human. My job was to find solutions. So far we have all done this together and implemented new ideas. I’m currently feeling euphoria and energy around the team. Also in conjunction with the fans. It’s clear: we’re in the preparation phase; we haven’t achieved anything yet. But it feels different.
Integration and identification is only possible if you have dealt with the city and the club. That’s one of the reasons why we went on a bike tour on Friday and stopped at many places in Darmstadt to find out more about the city and the Lilies. At the end of the tour we watched a video that conveyed what had happened in this club in the last few years – both positive and negative. Our goal with the team must be to build a feeling of what it means to play for this club. And the least we can do is perform and give something back. That’s our turn and I hope the fans notice that too.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.