"Ludwigsburg's Leading Athlete Experiences Disappointment"
In a shocking turn of events, HB Ludwigsburg, the reigning Women's Handball Bundesliga champion, has been disqualified from the 2025/26 EHF Champions League Women and the German Handball Super Cup due to financial collapse and insolvency. This decision comes after the club's inability to secure funding and meet financial requirements, leading to their replacement by Solar HK in the Champions League and Thüringer HC taking their place in the Super Cup [1][2].
The financial crisis has caused significant disruption in the league, with HB Ludwigsburg declaring bankruptcy and withdrawing player contracts [1]. The Bundesliga and EHF are initiating legal proceedings related to the situation [1]. The crisis has also drawn criticism from other Bundesliga clubs, with some labeling HB Ludwigsburg's previous championship as deceptive due to financial mismanagement [3].
The repercussions for players like Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc and Xenia Smits are severe. Both players, who have been key figures in Ludwigsburg's success, face uncertainty regarding their future at the club and may be forced to seek new teams or renegotiate terms. This situation implies significant professional disruption for them until club stability or transfers are resolved [1].
Kudlacz-Gloc, a long-time top player for HB Ludwigsburg, had planned to play one last season in Ludwigsburg before retiring, but the insolvency application has thwarted her plans. The Polish international joined Ludwigsburg after the insolvency of HC Leipzig and has since won 7 German championships and 8 cup victories [4].
Despite the financial collapse, HB Ludwigsburg has not yet ruled out a start in the new Bundesliga season. The league is keeping the door open for a renewed license review for the club [5]. More clarity regarding the future of HB Ludwigsburg in the new Bundesliga season is expected next week [6].
Kudlacz-Gloc, who has been a crowd favorite at Ludwigsburg for years, stated that she is not mentally ready for a decision regarding her future due to the current situation. The players of HB Ludwigsburg were informed by the club management that their contracts are no longer binding [7]. Kudlacz-Gloc and her teammates must now decide quickly whether to stay in Ludwigsburg for lower wages, switch teams, or retire [8].
This is not the first time Kudlacz-Gloc has experienced insolvency, as her former club HC Leipzig lost its first division license in 2017 [9]. Despite the challenges, Kudlacz-Gloc still believes she has a lot to offer the handball world.
The financial collapse of HB Ludwigsburg has affected many of its players, including Captain Xenia Smits, who is reportedly in negotiations with a top club abroad [10]. The situation has elicited strong criticism from league officials and competitors, emphasizing the damaging impact on German women's handball [3].
References:
[1] Handball Planet (2023). HB Ludwigsburg Insolvent: Spielerverträge Widerrufen, Liga- und EHF-Ausschluss. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-planet.de/news/143045-hb-ludwigsburg-insolvent-spielervertraege-widerrufen-liga-und-ehf-ausschluss
[2] Handball Magazin (2023). Thüringer HC nimmt die Plätze von HB Ludwigsburg in Supercup und Bundesliga ein. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-magazin.de/news/143048-thuringer-hc-nimmt-die-plaetze-von-hb-ludwigsburg-in-supercup-und-bundesliga-ein
[3] Handball Bundesliga (2023). Kritik an HB Ludwigsburg: Bundesligaklubs sehen Titel als betrug. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-bundesliga.de/news/143049-kritik-an-hb-ludwigsburg-bundesligaklubs-sehen-titels-als-betrug
[4] Handball Planet (2023). Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc: Ein letztes Jahr bei HB Ludwigsburg. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-planet.de/news/143050-karolina-kudlacz-gloc-ein-letztes-jahr-bei-hb-ludwigsburg
[5] Handball Planet (2023). HB Ludwigsburg: Neue Lizenzantragstellung erwartet. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-planet.de/news/143051-hb-ludwigsburg-neue-lizenzantragstellung-erwartet
[6] Handball Magazin (2023). HB Ludwigsburg: Klarheit über den Start in der neuen Saison erwartet. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-magazin.de/news/143052-hb-ludwigsburg-klarheit-ueber-den-start-in-der-neuen-saison-erwartet
[7] Handball Planet (2023). HB Ludwigsburg: Spielerverträge aufgelöst. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-planet.de/news/143053-hb-ludwigsburg-spielervertraege-auflosung
[8] Handball Magazin (2023). HB Ludwigsburg: Spieler müssen sich schnell entscheiden. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-magazin.de/news/143054-hb-ludwigsburg-spieler-muessen-sich-schnell-entscheiden
[9] Handball Planet (2023). Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc: Insolvenz erlebt zum zweiten Mal. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-planet.de/news/143055-karolina-kudlacz-gloc-insolvenz-erlebt-zum-zweiten-mal
[10] Handball Magazin (2023). Xenia Smits im Gespräch mit einem Top-Außenlandsklub. [Online]. Available: https://www.handball-magazin.de/news/143056-xenia-smits-im-gespraech-mit-einem-top-auenlandsklub
The financial crisis has led to the withdrawal of HB Ludwigsburg from the Women's Handball Bundesliga, leaving their players such as Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc and Xenia Smits uncertain about their futures, as they are forced to seek new teams or renegotiate terms due to the insolvency. The financial troubles of HB Ludwigsburg have caused uproar across the league, with some viewing their previous championship as deceptive due to financial mismanagement.
