Pre-Climactic Decisions and Unresolved Issues in the Daikin HBL Audience's Anticipation
Handball Drama in the Last Matchday: Who Takes the Crown?
The final dance in the DAIKIN HBL is here. The title, relegation spots, and promotion are all up for grabs. Here's a rundown of what's still in play and who's fighting for what.
What's Settled:
The participants for the Champions League and European League next season are already confirmed – the Berlin Füchse and SC Magdeburg will be representing Germany yet again, just like in the current season. The 1. VfL Potsdam, last year's second division champion, is heading down again, while the Brandenburgers were quickly confirmed as the first to be relegated. The Bergischer HC is the undisputed champion of the 2nd HBL, returning to the top tier after a year-long stint in the second division.
What's at Stake:
German Champion: Berlin or Magdeburg? This is the million-dollar question. Magdeburg won their last 13 league games, while Berlin's unbeaten streak stands tall at 18 games. The duel for the championship between these two powerhouses is intense. Berlin currently holds a one-point and 55-goal advantage with a 45:35 win against Gummersbach on Thursday. Magdeburg, aiming to become champions, will play against the relegation-threatened SG BBM Bietigheim, while Berlin faces the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. A draw would be enough for Berlin, while Magdeburg needs a win to claim the title and hopes for a Berlin defeat.
Second Relegated Team: The relegation battle is tight. On the 33rd matchday, the events were dramatic: SG BBM Bietigheim surprised everyone with a 34:25 win in Leipzig, TVB Stuttgart lost 27:28 to Göppingen, just missing a draw. As it stands, SG BBM Bietigheim leads Stuttgart and Erlangen by one point. The relegation-threatened duel between Erlangen and Wetzlar will decide their fate along with their match against Magdeburg. Stuttgart plays against Leipzig on the final matchday. If the end is a tie, Erlangen has the best goal difference at -102, followed by Stuttgart with -140 and Bietigheim with -137.
Second Promoted Team: The second promoted team from the 2nd HBL will be decided in a fierce battle between Ludwigshafen and Ferndorf. Before the final matchday on Saturday, the TV Hüttenberg and GWD Minden are tied with 45 points, but Hüttenberg has a 17-goal better goal difference compared to Minden. The TVH plays against the still relegation-threatened Eulen from Ludwigshafen, while Minden takes on TuS Ferndorf.
Last Participant in the Supercup: The new German champion will face the cup winner THW Kiel in the Handball Supercup on August 23rd in the sold-out SAP Garden in Munich. The participants for the women's competition have already been decided: Meister and cup winner HB Ludwigsburg will play against vice-champion and cup finalist HSG Blomberg-Lippe.
All eyes will be on the final matchday on Sunday as Berlin and Magdeburg battle it out for the title, while the second-relegated team and the second-promoted team's fate are sealed. This Handball Bundesliga season is far from over, with plenty of drama and excitement still to come!
In the fight for other sports titles, Berlin and Magdeburg are battling it out for the German Handball championship.
The relegation battle for the second spot is intense, with SG BBM Bietigheim, TVB Stuttgart, and Erlangen all competing fiercely to avoid relegation.
