They’re facing a German team, but the stakes are international, as this is a quarterfinal match in the EHF European League. On Wednesday, they’ll take on TSV Hannover-Burgdorf with the goal of securing a strong advantage heading into the second leg. Tip-off at the GP JOULE Arena is at 8:45 p.m.
TSV Hannover-Burgdorf was on a roll in the DAIKIN HBL last season. They finished in sixth place and secured a spot in the EHF European League. This season, however, setbacks have piled up. “We can make a splash again,” TSV coach Christian Prokop declared in September. “But everything still needs to fall into place.” However, his team has settled into the lower mid-table. At the end of November, the “Recken” announced that the team and coach would part ways after the current season. Shortly thereafter, Juan Carlos Pastor was introduced as his successor. The Spaniard took over in January with immediate effect. “Based on our assessment of the situation at the turn of the year, we concluded that sticking with the current setup would not lead to a positive outcome,” explained sporting director Sven-Sören Christophersen. Yet even in 2026, the DAKIN HBL saw more losses than wins—surprising given the roster. What’s particularly interesting about the “Recken” roster is the depth in the backcourt. With new signings Leif Tissier, Maxim Orlov, and Sindre Aho, as well as established players Marian Michalczik, Lukas Stutzke, and Jonathan Edvardsson, no fewer than six players are in contention for the playmaker position.
Spectator boom and two former SG players
Another striking feature of the burgeoning handball scene in the Lower Saxony metropolis is the concentration of German national team players. In addition to Renars Uscins, Marian Michalczik, and Lukas Stutzke, this group also includes goalkeeper Joel Birlehm and pivot Justus Fischer. And equally noteworthy: the growing popularity. The ZAG Arena is frequently sold out to its capacity of 9,900 spectators. Two former SG players were part of the “Recken” squad: one is Marius Steinhauser. The right wing moved to the Maschsee in 2022 after five years with the SG and will return to the Rhein-Neckar Löwen this summer. August Pedersen only switched teams this season. The left wing missed the away game in the fall due to a thigh injury and is therefore all the more excited for a brief visit to the “Hölle Nord.” In early April, the Norwegian scored an impressive eleven goals against his former club.
