Unforeseen Twist: Hammer Verdict Seals Dramatic Clash in Handball
A Court Decision Dramatically Altering Final Outcomes in Handball Matches
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Even after the season's end, the 2nd Bundesliga handball leaguerefuses to let go of the drama. The German Handball Federation's highest court has ruled that a match must be replayed, with significant implications for both teams involved.
The nail-biting decision: A rematch between TuSEM Essen and Dessau-Roßlauer HV in the 2nd Bundesliga is on the cards, scheduled after the season's conclusion. This decision comes from the German Handball Federation's Federal Court, due to a match-altering rule violation by the timekeeper and secretary during the match that Dessau won 28:27 in Essen on April 27.
For Dessau, the rematch could spell disaster: If they were to lose the game, they would plummet from tenth to second-to-last place in the table, facing relegation instead of ASV Hamm-Westfalen. An appeal against the decision of the DHB Federal Court is not an option, as per the Handball Bundesliga announcement. The committee overruled a prior conflicting decision by the Federal Sports Court dated May 12 and mandated the rematch by no later than June 30.
During the final three seconds of the game, Dessau played with seven players despite being one player short due to a time penalty. Both referees and officials missed this oversight, resulting in TuSEM Essen filing a protest against the game's result. "According to TUSEM, the correct legal consequence would have been another suspension in the form of a 2-minute penalty (including time-out) and a turnover of the ball," the club stated. "TUSEM would have then received the ball again in close proximity to the Dessau goal and in double superiority. With a few seconds remaining and seven attackers versus four defenders, plus the goalkeeper, there would have been a high likelihood of a goal, resulting in a different game outcome."
A league on edge
The 2nd Bundesliga handball league finds itself in a precarious situation, as the rematch has the potential to drastically alter the relegation battle: Dessau-Roßlau and ASV Hamm-Westfalen are currently separated by merely two points, with Hamm boasting a superior goal difference. Former European Cup winner TuSEM Essen, the force behind the rematch, has already secured its place as sixteenth in the table, as it can no longer suffer further losses.
Both clubs are set to face logistical challenges in the aftermath. Dessau-Roßlau parted ways with head coach Uwe Jungandreas and five players at the end of the previous matchday, while TuSEM Essen also saw the departure of five players. Despite the players still being under contract until July 1, many professional clubs will begin their summer break once the season concludes, adding to the complications. Furthermore, one player from each team is set to represent Germany at the U21 World Championship, slated from June 17 to 29.
According to Bild newspaper reports, ASV Hamm-Westfalen had considered increasing the number of teams in the 2nd Bundesliga to 19 for the upcoming season, rendering the verdict's impact insignificant for Dessau-Roßlauer HV. The rematch, however, carries importance for TuSEM Essen: Should they emerge victorious, they would ascend to ninth place in the table, thus securing a place in the coming DHB Cup.
Sources: ntv.de, ter/dpa
- Handball
- DHB
In the precarious situation of the 2nd Bundesliga handball league, the pending rematch between TuSEM Essen and Dessau-Roßlauer HV could significantly impact the relegation battle. Despite having secured their place in the table, TuSEM Essen views this rematch as a chance to move up to ninth place and secure a spot in the DHB Cup. On the other hand, football takes a backseat, with sports like handball proving to be as thrilling and unpredictable.
