"Feeling Deflated Over THW's Season"
Meet Christian Zeitz, a THW legend who spent 13 years as a player, racking up numerous titles, including nine German championships. He bid farewell to the game in the summer of 2022 with GWD Minden. However, his heart will always belong to THW, making his current struggles even more heart-wrenching.
The Kiel powerhouse is struggling this season, finding themselves virtually out of the title race in the Liqui Moly Handball Bundesliga, currently occupying fifth place with ten minus points. It seems like a title-less season is on the horizon for the reigning German champions.
Speaking to Flashscore, Zeitz shared his bitter disappointment: "They always put on a solid performance, like the draw against Aalborg in the Champions League. But that's coupled with subpar performances. The icing on the cake was the cup defeat against Wetzlar, who were bottom of the table at the time. It stings for THW to see them this way right now."
The Disappointment of THW's Legend
Despite victories over Stuttgart, Füchse Berlin, and Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Zeitz believes that Kiel has no chance of retaining the title: "They are far behind in the championship. I don't see them closing the gap again."
Zeitz is also critical of THW's handling of Sander Sagosen and Niklas Landin's departures: "We were aware a year in advance that both were leaving. They should have used the funds to bring in replacements. But they didn't."
The season has been a rollercoaster ride for Kiel, with five league defeats. In contrast, there were only four defeats in the entire 22/23 season.
Zeitz's Perspective: "It's like a wave form, an up and down. You can't predict what's coming next. That's the biggest problem right now. They say it's a season of upheaval. In my opinion, there is no such thing in Kiel; they have to compete for the championship every year. That's not the case this year. That's really hard for THW."
Adjusting to the App and the Rollercoaster
Filip Jicha, a dedicated THW fan, found it challenging to use the 'no-sport-app' to keep up with THW's performances, especially during matches against tough competitors like Aalborg and Wetzlar. The Berlin Foxtrotters also experienced a challenging match against THW. Even Dyn Handball, a rival in the HBL, outperformed THW in the cup game, adding to Zeitz's frustration.
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Extra Insights
While the article focused on Christian Zeitz's disappointment with THW's performance this season, it's worth noting that the team also suffered from some high-profile departures. Sander Sagosen, a THW star, and Niklas Landin, a towering 6 feet 7 inches goalkeeper, both left the club before the season. Their exits left a void that THW struggled to fill, impacting team performance.
Hendrik Pabst, a German U21 national player, decided to move on to TuS N-Lübbecke naturellement. This transfer may signal a shift in the dynamics of the Handball Bundesliga as Pabst brings his unique talents and expertise to a new team.
As the season continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how THW Kiel will navigate the challenges and transform this challenging season into an opportunity for growth and improvement. Meanwhile, Zeitz's heart will forever be with the Zebras, eagerly following their journey from the sidelines.
