The onset of winter in April caught Darmstadt 98 cold.
Because of the centimeters of fresh snow in the Böllenfalltor stadium, the Bundesliga aspirant called on his fans for support on Saturday morning.
At 1.30 p.m. (in the FAZ live ticker for the second Bundesliga and on Sky) the “lilies” are supposed to play against Holstein Kiel.
"Good morning lily family!
We are looking for helpers who can help to free our Bölle from the snow.
Just drop by and ideally bring your own snow shovel," said the Hessians.
Corona outbreak during international break
After all, the "lilies" caught the corona outbreak in their ranks during the international break.
As a result, the at least ten affected second division professionals were able to test themselves free by Thursday at the latest.
How many of them are eligible for the starting eleven against Kiel is unclear.
Coach Torsten Lieberknecht announced that he would decide depending on the return and individual physical conditions.
The practice operation at Böllenfalltor could sometimes only be maintained by filling up the group with youth players.
“For us, sobriety is an important point.
We know we're there without falling into a great deal of euphoria.
We are still seen as a side note in the fight for promotion - that's also an attraction for us," says Lieberknecht, who will certainly have to do without the red-suspended midfielder Klaus Gjasula.
The home area of the Böllenfalltorstadion will be sold out for the first time in a long time.
"So far we've shown ourselves as a great team as a team, and as a community with our fans we can achieve great things.
Against Kiel there is a good opportunity to bring this community back to the outside world," said Lieberknecht.
The match is the start of the Darmstadt Weeks of Truth: After the showdown with the Kielers, who are also suffering from the corona virus, three games in a row against direct competitors in the fight for promotion to the Bundesliga follow.