Bietigheim's Trainer Slams Löwen Over Mallorca Trip in Heated Rant
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Travel-related advice for Majorca: Bietigheim trainer criticizes the "Lions" - Due to the Mallorca excursion, Bietigheim coach lashes out at the Lions.
In the aftermath of SG BBM Bietigheim's relegation from the Handball Bundesliga, their coach Iker Romero threw some searing accusations at the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Particularly, Romero wasn't shy about criticizing a team-outing that took place in Mallorca, right in the midst of the season-end rush. "That's something I'll never forget. Not because of me, but because of these 17 players," Romero told Dyn.
So what went down? A section of the Mannheimer squad had used a free weekend in late May for a team excursion to Mallorca. The very next matchday brought a dismal 26:33 performance against TVB Stuttgart, who were Bietigheim's relegation rivals. At the time, Löwen-Coach Sebastian Hinze lamented, "That's a performance we can't afford, and it'll have consequences."
Romero fumes: "That's not fair"
The two points Stuttgart snatched from that game proved decisive in the end. The TVB finished on 18 bonus points, while Bietigheim pitched in with 17. After just one year, the underdog team must now face the prospect of returning to the 2. Liga.
"When a team goes to Mallorca before a Stuttgart game, teams like the Rhein-Neckar Löwen, that's simply not fair," Romero continued his rant, pointing to his players. "They're going [to Mallorca] tomorrow."
Füchse-Boss Bob Hanning brands the trip "a disgrace."
Following this outburst, Romero took aim directly at the Mannheim brass and vowed, "That'll come back to bite them." Löwen sports director Uwe Gensheimer remained tight-lipped about the matter in the "Bild"-Zeitung. "I've heard about it, but there's not much more to say right now," the former national player noted.
Hanning, whose Füchse emerged victorious against the Löwen in the season finale, could understand Romero's frustration. "It's just downright disrespectful and unprofessional for another team to go on a trip when they've still got a chance," Hanning stated in his "Kicker" column. "If I were to do it [go on a trip], then I've only got one motive: I have to win that game to make amends."
- Iker Romero
- Bietigheim
- Rhein-Neckar Löwen
- Löwen
- SG BBM Bietigheim
- Mallorca
- TV Bissendorf-Holte
- Stuttgart
- Bietigheim-Bissingen
- Handball-Bundesliga
- Bob Hanning
- Dyn
- Team Trip
- Wochenende
Insights:
- In professional sports like handball, teams sometimes organize outings during the season for bonding or relaxation. However, such trips can be perceived as distracting and raise questions about commitment if they occur close to crucial matches.
- The impact of a team outing on their subsequent performance is not always predictable. If a trip helps players recharge and refocus, it might boost morale. On the other hand, if it causes distractions, a team's performance may suffer.
- The response of fans and the public plays a significant role in such situations. If they perceive a team trip as unnecessary or poorly timed, it can create controversy.
- Iker Romero, the coach of SG BBM Bietigheim, expressed his frustration about a team-outing organized by the Rhein-Neckar Löwen, their relegation rivals, saying, "When a team goes to Mallorca before a Stuttgart game, teams like the Rhein-Neckar Löwen, that's simply not fair."
- Bob Hanning, the boss of another Handball Bundesliga team, Füchse, echoed Romero's sentiments, stating, "It's just downright disrespectful and unprofessional for another team to go on a trip when they've still got a chance." He added, "If I were to do it, then I've only got one motive: I have to win that game to make amends."
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