Tuesday, September 07, 2021
“Expect a complicated year”
The concern of handball about new acts of strength
The handball Bundesliga starts the new season – and a year full of uncertainties. Some halls will be almost full at first, in others there is plenty of space even sold out. Some fear their own economic damage, others worry about their sporting opportunities.
Defending champion THW Kiel can start the hunt for the 23rd championship in front of a full house, in the Bundesliga comeback of promoted HSV Hamburg, on the other hand, a good three quarters of the places have to remain free. The return of the spectators, eagerly awaited by the handball players after an economically difficult season, harbors a lot of explosive due to the different corona rules in Germany and also causes annoyance for HBL managing director Frank Bohmann before the start of the season.
“We still have a patchwork quilt and a big discrepancy. I expect a very complicated year,” said Bohmann. 9000 fans can watch the home game of record champions Kiel against HBW Balingen-Weilstetten live in the hall this Wednesday – with a capacity of 10,285 spectators that means almost full capacity. “I get goose bumps when I think of finally being able to play in front of a full crowd again,” said THW captain Patrick Wiencek. MT Melsungen is even allowed to fully utilize its home in Kassel.
Metropolises slow down
The metropolises of Berlin and Hamburg form a stark contrast. At Füchsen Berlin, the Max-Schmeling-Halle with 11,900 seats is currently only allowed 2000 visitors. There will be similarly large gaps in the stands in the Hamburg arena with a capacity of 13,000 spectators. A maximum of 3,000 supporters will be admitted to the first Bundesliga game of the former Champions League winner since the insolvency administrator’s withdrawal in January 2016.
For HSV trainer Torsten Jansen, this is a case of “distortion of competition”, as the newcomer in particular needs the support of the audience. This applies both in terms of sport in the fight for points and financially. Because the past Corona season left economic traces on all clubs – even on the industry leader from Kiel.
“We are assuming that the past financial year will end with a red zero and a slightly negative result,” reported the THW supervisory board chairman Marc Weinstock. And managing director Viktor Szilagyi emphasized on NDR: “Of course we try to let as many fans into the hall as possible. It’s not about profit optimization, but about maintaining top handball in Kiel.”
“Show of strength not repeatable”
The fact that all Bundesliga clubs have survived the Corona crisis largely unscathed despite massive loss of income is primarily thanks to the millions in aid from the federal and state governments and, of course, the loyalty of numerous sponsors. In addition, players, coaches and employees waived part of their salary. “Such acts of strength cannot be repeated,” said Axel Geerken, CEO of MT Melsungen, in a survey by the German press agency. “In this respect, we are now looking forward to a season in which we can finally play again under almost normal conditions, that is, above all, with spectators.”
Jennifer Kettemann, managing director of Rhein-Neckar Löwen, fears: “As with most clubs, the consequences of the corona pandemic will be with us for a long time.” The Mannheimers had to play as the first club and for the longest in front of empty ranks. Kettemann: “Financially it was of course a huge cut for us.”
The other clubs fared very similar, which is why nobody in the industry wants to give the all-clear. Karsten Günther, managing director of the SC DHfK Leipzig warned: “We have to remain flexible, creative and careful, because the situation is still dynamic and nobody knows exactly how it will develop.” His Berlin colleague Bob Hanning hopes “that with reason and the vaccinations we can play a season without delays and failures.” Preferably, of course, in front of full seats, “because, in his opinion,” another year with significant audience exclusions would be dangerous “.
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