Player Departs Ludwigsburg Again for the National Stage
HB Ludwigsburg Faces Uncertain Future as Insolvency Looms
In a shocking turn of events, German handball club HB Ludwigsburg has been excluded from major competitions, including the 2025 Handball Super Cup and the EHF Champions League Women's 2025/26 season, due to insolvency proceedings [1][2][3]. The club, which won the Bundesliga last season, has failed to secure sufficient funding and a sponsor after filing for bankruptcy.
The insolvency of HB Ludwigsburg may have far-reaching implications for the Bundesliga, as the team has been a consistent competitor. The future of the club remains uncertain, with the players, including many national team members, no longer bound by their contracts [1][3].
One such player is Mareike Thomaier, a member of the German handball national team. Thomaier, who is 24 years old, has joined rival club HSG Bensheim/Auerbach [6]. The signing was described as a "clear message to the competition" by the club [7].
Thomaier's departure from HB Ludwigsburg may impact the team's performance in the Bundesliga. Previously, national teammates of Thomaier, such as Xenia Smits, Antje Döll, and Jenny Behrend, had found new clubs [4].
Due to insolvency, Thüringer HC has replaced HB Ludwigsburg in the 2025 Handball Super Cup, scheduled for August 23, 2025, and will face HSG Blomberg-Lippe instead [2].
Despite insolvency, HB Ludwigsburg still appears in Bundesliga match schedules for the 2025/26 season, indicating they may still be registered in the league, but their actual participation is uncertain and influenced by ongoing financial and legal challenges [4][5]. The EHF has initiated legal proceedings against HB Ludwigsburg and associated German handball bodies for failure to comply with competition registration requirements, highlighting the severity of the situation [1].
The German Handball League (HBL) is actively working on a backup plan to ensure the continuity of the Bundesliga, even if HB Ludwigsburg is unable to participate [8]. This period of instability and change within the Bundesliga could potentially open up opportunities for other clubs to sign the players released from their contracts at HB Ludwigsburg.
References:
[1] "HB Ludwigsburg insolvent and excluded from major competitions". Handball-Planet.com. 2025.
[2] "Thüringer HC replaces HB Ludwigsburg in the 2025 Handball Super Cup". Handball-Planet.com. 2025.
[3] "EHF initiates legal proceedings against HB Ludwigsburg and German handball bodies". EHF.com. 2025.
[4] "Bundesliga match schedules still include HB Ludwigsburg for the 2025/26 season". Handball-Planet.com. 2025.
[5] "Legal challenges hinder HB Ludwigsburg's participation in the Bundesliga". Handball-Planet.com. 2025.
[6] "Mareike Thomaier joins HSG Bensheim/Auerbach". Handball-Planet.com. 2025.
[7] "HSG Bensheim/Auerbach signs Mareike Thomaier". HSG-Bensheim-Auerbach.de. 2025.
[8] "HBL works on backup plan for Bundesliga". Handball-Planet.com. 2025.
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