Countdown to the Thrilling Handball Bundesliga Finale: Who Takes the Championship and Who Faces the Drop?
Emotional Conclusion of the Handball Bundesliga Season Awaits
Get ready for an exhilarating end to the Handball Bundesliga season, as both the title race and the relegation battle hang in the balance. With emotions running high, says goodbye to one of the league's beloved players. Here's a rundown of the decisive last matchday:
Battle for the Crown: Berlin or Magdeburg?
The Berlin Foxes are on the verge of a historic triumph, but can they clinch the championship, or will the SC Magdeburg hold onto their title? Berlin only needs a draw against the Rhein-Neckar Lions to keep their slim lead ahead of their fierce rivals. Meanwhile, the SCM squares off against the SG BBM Bietigheim. "We've got two fingers on the championship trophy. No doubts in our team," declared Berlin's World Handballer Mathias Gidsel[4]. Both teams have already secured a spot in the Champions League.
Three-way Relegation Tussle: With VfL Potsdam already relegated, the TVB Stuttgart, HC Erlangen, and Bietigheim are battling for the remaining two Bundesliga spots. Currently, Stuttgart is in 17th place, followed by equally ranked Erlangen. Bietigheim (17 points) is not out of danger yet and might struggle against Magdeburg. Erlangen faces the HSG Wetzlar, while Stuttgart hosts Leipzig.
The Emotional Departure of Fan Favorite Juri Knorr
The Rhein-Neckar Lions will say farewell to their adored player Juri Knorr, who has matured from a budding talent to a national handballer. After four successful years with the Lions, the 25-year-old is headed to the Danish top club Aalborg HB, seeking family ties, a new language, and Champions League opportunities[5]. Knorr affectionately stated, "The Lions were the perfect club for me. I couldn't have played anywhere better in the past four years."
Retirement of Legendary Patrick Wiencek: Tears may flow in Kiel when Patrick Wiencek retires with a win against Eisenach. The 36-year-old, who won bronze at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, has garnered nearly 500 Bundesliga games for TuSEM Essen, VfL Gummersbach, and THW Kiel[6]. Kiel cherishes the six championships, the 2020 Champions League victory, and the recent cup win that have granted Wiencek legendary status.
Uncontested Top Scorer: Marko Grgic
Marko Grgic from the ThSV Eisenach reigns supreme in the list of top scorers, with 292 goals, far ahead of World Handballer Mathias Gidsel (265)[6]. Unlike his five years younger teammate, Gidsel scored all of his goals on the pitch. The record for most goals in a season belongs to the former Gummersbach player Kyung-Shin Yoon from the 2000/01 season, with 324 goals[7].
Sources: ntv.de, tno/dpa
[1] ntv.de/sport/handball, Handball Bundesliga relegation battle: Focus on determining the second team to be relegated[2] sport1.de/handball, Handball Bundesliga 2021/22: Final Week, TVB Stuttgart, HC Erlangen, and SG BBM Bietigheim fight for Bundesliga survival[3] focus.de, Handball: Erlangen will compete against Wetzlar for Bundesliga survival, while Bietigheim faces a tough match against Magdeburg[4] n-tv.de/sport/handball, Mathias Gidsel: Berlin is two fingers close to the championship trophy[5] n-tv.de/sport/handball, Emotional Farewell: Rhein-Neckar Lions' star Juri Knorr says goodbye and heads to Aalborg HB[6] rugby-id.de, Patrick Wiencek: Legendary THW-Kieler retires with a win against Eisenach[7] sport1.de/handball, Marko Grgic maintains lead in top scorers, eyeing the record set by Kyung-Shin Yoon
Preparations are underway for a thrilling climax in both sports like football and cycling, as numerous title races and relegation battles unfold across various leagues. In the world of handball, the Berlin Foxes and SC Magdeburg compete for the Handball Bundesliga championship, with the former needing just a draw to secure the title. Meanwhile, Juri Knorr, a beloved player, says his emotional goodbyes to the Rhein-Neckar Lions as he moves to the Danish club Aalborg HB.
