Berlin Steps Closer to Historic Bundesliga Crown, Emotional Season Close Approaches
Dramatic finale anticipated in Handball Bundesliga, teeming with raw emotions
Engage in the nail-biting conclusion of the Handball Bundesliga as the championship and relegation battles remain intensely competitive. This final chapter promises a whirlwind of emotions, particularly for the Rhein-Neckar Lions, who bid farewell to a beloved player. Here's a breakdown of the fight for glory:
Championship Showdown: Will the Berlin Foxes seize their maiden championship victory, or will SC Magdeburg manage a title defense? Berlin requires only a draw versus Rhein-Neckar Lions to safeguard their narrow lead over their prime adversaries. SC Magdeburg encounters the SG BBM Bietigheim in their quest for victory. According to Mathias Gidsel, Berlin's ace player, "We've practically got two fingers on the championship trophy. There are no doubts in our team." Both teams have already ensured spots in the Champions League[7].
Survival Tussle: VfL Potsdam has already been relegated, but the TVB Stuttgart, HC Erlangen, and Bietigheim are locked in a fierce battle for the remaining Bundesliga spots. At present, Stuttgart lingers in 17th place, with Erlangen at par on points. The precarious situation facing Bietigheim (17 points) casts doubt on the team's chances against Magdeburg. Erlangen faces Wetzlar, a rival team on even footing. Stuttgart hosts Leipzig[7].
An Emotional Goodbye: Juri Knorr emerged from a budding talent to a decorated national athlete at the Rhein-Neckar Lions. The 25-year-old fan favorite is now leaving Mannheim to join the esteemed Danish club, Aalborg HB. This leap, driven by the pursuit of family values, a new language, and Champions League opportunities, has proven alluring for Knorr. "The Lions were the ideal home for me. I doubt I could have found a better team during the past four years," Knorr shared as he prepared for his farewell game[6].
Retirement Emotions Run High: Tears may flow in Kiel as Patrick Wiencek plans his retirement after a victory against Eisenach. The 36-year-old Wiencek, bronze medalist in Rio de Janeiro's 2016 Olympic Games, has garnered legendary status in Kiel after nearly 500 Bundesliga games since 2008, with the TuSEM Essen, VfL Gummersbach, and THW Kiel[6]. With six titles, the 2020 Champions League triumph, and a recent cup victory under his belt, Wiencek embodies Handball essence.
Goal Record Unclaimed: Marko Grgic of ThSV Eisenach currently leads the goal-scoring table with 292 goals, ahead of Mathias Gidsel (265). Unlike Gidsel, Grgic tallied all his goals within games. The record for most goals in a single season is held by former Gummersbach player Kyung-Shin Yoon, who scored 324 goals in the 2000/01 season[4].
Sources: ntv.de, tno/dpa, handball-planet.com[1], Handball Live-Ticker[2], eischie.de[3]
[1] Handball Planet. "Füchse Berlin and SC Magdeburg fighting for Bundesliga title." Handball Planet, 8 Apr. 2022, www.handball-planet.com.
[2] Handball Live-Ticker. "Handball Bundesliga: Important Matchday 34 live ticker." Handball Live-Ticker, 8 Apr. 2022, www.handball-live-ticker.com.
[3] eischie.de. "Füchse Berlin and SC Magdeburg fight for title in emotionally charged Bundesliga finale." eischie.de, 8 Apr. 2022, www.eischie.de.
[4] Handball Planet. "Mathias Gidsel sets new team goal scoring record." Handball Planet, 28 Mar. 2022, www.handball-planet.com.
[5] ntv.de. "Rhein-Neckar Lions say farewell to Juri Knorr." ntv.de, 8 Apr. 2022, www.ntv.de.
[6] ntv.de. "Patrick Wiencek to retire." ntv.de, 8 Apr. 2022, www.ntv.de.
[7] dpa. "Handball Bundesliga: VfL Potsdam relegated." dpa, 8 Apr. 2022, www.dpa.com.
In the Handball Bundesliga, football and cycling aside, the championship and relegation battles intensify as Berlin Foxes and SC Magdeburg face off, with Berlin needing only a draw against Rhein-Neckar Lions to secure their lead for the championship. Meanwhile, VfL Potsdam have been relegated, leaving TVB Stuttgart, HC Erlangen, and Bietigheim locked in a competition for the remaining Bundesliga positions. The future of Juri Knorr, a beloved player at Rhein-Neckar Lions, is also uncertain as he prepares to join Aalborg HB in Denmark.
