Fresh Take: Reboot showdown in 2nd Bundesliga Handball: Hammer Verdict Sets Scene for Captivating Climax
Dramatic Final Decision in Handball: Hammer's Ruling Reshapes the Game
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Even as the dust settles on the 2nd Bundesliga handball season, a compelling reprise is in the works: The supreme handball court of the German Handball Federation (DHB) has decreed a match replay. The results of this re-run could be decisive.
A gripping twist in the tale of the 2nd Bundesliga handball: The match between TUSEM Essen and Dessau-Roßlauer HV, won by Dessau 28:27 in Essen on April 27, faces a second act, following the DHB's court order. The culprit for this revival is a rule violation by the timekeeper and secretary during the match, who failed to account for a player advantage that allowed Dessau to field an extra player during the game's final moments[1].
For Dessau, this replay could be a game-changer: If they were to lose the replay, they'd plummet from 10th to second-to-last place in the table, replacing ASV Hamm-Westfalen for the relegation berth[1]. Although an appeal against this verdict isn't possible, the Handball Bundesliga announced that a committee overruled an earlier decision by the Federal Sports Court of May 12[1]. The match must be played by June 30, at the latest[1].
In the dying seconds of the game, Dessau played with seven men, despite a time penalty that mildly disadvantaged them. Neither the referees nor officials took notice, so Essen lodged a protest against the official evaluation of the game[1]. "In our view, the appropriate legal consequence would have been another disqualification in the form of a 2-minute penalty (including timeout), and the ball change," TUSEM Essen wrote in their statement. "This would have given TUSEM possession of the ball in close proximity to the Dessau goal, potentially leading to a goal and a different game outcome[1]."
A course that shifts direction
The handball 2nd Bundesliga saga has the power to flip the relegation battle upside down, with just two points separating Dessau-Roßlau and ASV Hamm-Westfalen in the table, and Hamm maintaining a significantly better goal difference[1]. TuSEM Essen has already secured its spot as the 16th team in the table, given that they cannot collect any more points[1].
The comedy of errors that ensued following the initial match will present both teams with logistical challenges for the replay: Dessau-Roßlau has already bid a heartfelt goodbye to their long-time coach Uwe Jungandreas and five players on the final matchday, while TuSEM Essen also said their goodbyes to five players[1]. Although players from both teams remain under contract until July 1, many professional clubs will commence their summer vacations following the season's end, complicating the scheduling and preparation of the replay[1]. Additionally, one player from each team will participate in the U21 World Championship, taking place from June 17 to 29[1].
According to Bild newspaper, ASV Hamm-Westfalen had previously proposed expanding the 2nd Bundesliga of handball to 19 teams for the coming season—a gesture aimed at rendering the Hammer verdict's impact inconsequential[1]. While Dessau-Roßlauer HV 06 is fighting for survival in the league, the potential victory for TuSEM Essen carries significance as well: If they win the replay, they'll vault to 9th place in the table, securing a spot for the upcoming DHB Cup[1].
Source: ntv.de, ter/dpa. \Enrichment Data:
- Replay: The German Handball Federation's (DHB) court has decreeed a replay of the TuSEM Essen vs. Dessau-Roßlauer HV 06 match, owing to a rules violation by the timekeeper and secretary that went unnoticed during the initial encounter[1].
- Relegation Battle: The replay adds a level of uncertainty to the handball 2nd Bundesliga's relegation race, potentially altering the positions of both TuSEM Essen and Dessau-Roßlauer HV 06 in the table[1].
- Scheduling Challenges: The replay necessitates an adjustment to the league schedule, potentially causing a condensed schedule or revisions to the timing of the final rounds of the season[1].
[1] Information sourced from the original article.
Other than football, the replay of the handball match between TUSEM Essen and Dessau-Roßlauer HV could significantly impact the results of sports in the 2nd Bundesliga. This rematch, ordered by the German Handball Federation (DHB), is a Turning point for both teams, as it may determine Dessau's relegation or Essen's placement in the upcoming DHB Cup. Despite the scheduling challenges, such as player departures and summer vacations, the replay promises to add more excitement to the already intense league.
