"Ludwigsburg's Leading Player in Distress"
The Women's Handball Bundesliga (HBF) team, HB Ludwigsburg, finds itself in a precarious position following its insolvency filing. The financial distress has forced the club to withdraw from the 2025/26 EHF Champions League Women’s competition and the German Handball Super Cup[1][3].
Last season, HB Ludwigsburg clinched the Bundesliga title, but their bid to secure a sponsor for future tournaments fell short. The interim bankruptcy manager confirmed to the European Handball Federation (EHF) that it was impossible to secure funds for the Champions League campaign. As a result, Norway’s Solar HK replaced Ludwigsburg in Group B of the EHF Champions League Women’s tournament[1][4].
Domestically, Thüringer HC took Ludwigsburg's place in the Handball Super Cup, facing HSG Blomberg-Lippe at the event in Munich on August 23, 2025[1][2].
The insolvency of HB Ludwigsburg has sparked strong criticism within German women’s handball. Many stakeholders view this as damaging to the sport’s image and competitive integrity. Thüringer HC’s managing director called the recent championship a "sham and a lie," expressing concern over fraud and deception affecting other teams. The expected loss of over 20 matches due to Ludwigsburg’s withdrawal is also seen as a major challenge for the league’s scheduling and format going forward[3].
Long-time top player Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc, a fan favourite at HB Ludwigsburg, is among those affected by the financial collapse. Kudlacz-Gloc, who is 40 years old, had planned to play one last season in Ludwigsburg before retiring, but the insolvency application has thwarted her plans. The club management informed the players on Monday that their contracts are no longer binding[2].
Kudlacz-Gloc, who won seven German championships and eight cup victories while playing for HB Ludwigsburg, has expressed deep sadness about the financial collapse. She believes she still has a lot to offer the handball world, but the players, including Kudlacz-Gloc, are now required to decide quickly about their future. They must choose between staying in Ludwigsburg for lower wages, switching teams, or retiring[2].
While the league has kept the door open for HB Ludwigsburg to start in the new Bundesliga season, it has announced a renewed license review. Meanwhile, captain Xenia Smits is reportedly in negotiations with a top international club[2].
References: [1] Handball-Planet. (2025, July 26). HB Ludwigsburg withdraws from Champions League. Retrieved from https://www.handball-planet.de/news/334964/HB-Ludwigsburg-zieht-sich-aus-der-Champions-League-aus
[2] Spox. (2025, July 26). HB Ludwigsburg: Kudlacz-Gloc and Smits are uncertain about their future. Retrieved from https://www.spox.com/de/handball/bundesliga/1974641/hb-ludwigsburg-kudlacz-gloc-und-smits-sind-ueber-ihre-zukunft-unsicher
[3] Handball-Planet. (2025, July 27). Thüringer HC takes the place of HB Ludwigsburg in the Super Cup. Retrieved from https://www.handball-planet.de/news/334966/Thuringer-HC-nimmt-den-Platz-von-HB-Ludwigsburg-im-Super-Cup-wahr
[4] EHF. (2025, July 26). Solar HK replaces HB Ludwigsburg in EHF Champions League Women’s group phase. Retrieved from https://www.ehfcl.com/news/solar-hk-replaces-hb-ludwigsburg-in-ehf-champions-league-womens-group-phase
- Despite winning the Bundesliga title last season, HB Ludwigsburg's financial troubles have led them to withdraw from various sports competitions, including the EHF Champions League Women’s tournament and the German Handball Super Cup.
- The insolvency of HB Ludwigsburg has sparked criticism within German women’s handball, with many stakeholders concerned about the impact on the sport's image, competitive integrity, and scheduling due to the expected loss of over 20 matches.
