Christmas marks the end of the handball year for the SG Flensburg-Handewitt. With the last home game in the DAIKIN HBL, the team will take a longer break. Kick-off against Bergischer HC is at 5.30 p.m. on the second national holiday.
A newly promoted team usually has a hard time in the DAIKIN HBL. In this respect, Bergischer HC did well in the first half of the season. With 10:24 points and 15th place, staying in the league has become a real option. In particular, the draw in the derby at VfL Gummersbach was met with much acclaim. Nevertheless, both Wuppertal and Solingen are keeping their feet on the ground. "The goal for the season remains to stay in the league," emphasized Arnor Gunnarsson and Markus Pütz, who are the only coaching duo in the league with equal rights. Bergischer HC had to leave the DAIKIN HBL somewhat unexpectedly in the spring of 2024. Twelve months later, the return was certain. "We've rectified our relegation, but we now have to establish ourselves in the Bundesliga with the squad," said goalkeeper Christopher Rudeck. He was once a member of the SG's youth team. The same applies to center Lars Kooij, who joined Bergischer HC in the summer after spells in Tondern, Hamm, Emsdetten and Vardar Skopje. However, Aron Seesing, who will move to Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the coming season, is the number one on the circle.
Bad luck with injuries in late fall
The start to the season was not very promising. It was only in the late fall that points began to pile up, although the squad was very thin at times. In November alone, three key players suffered serious injuries: Playmaker Eloy Morante Maldonado tore the syndesmosis ligament in his foot, Elias Scholtes was missing with an ankle injury and Yannick Fraatz even had to write off the entire season due to a cruciate ligament rupture. However, Bergischer HC still has enough quality in its squad. The talented half-back Sören Steinhaus has come into focus as a goal scorer. Position colleague Nico Schöttle, who transferred from TVB Stuttgart, has arrived well. Left-hander Johannes Wasielewski has also taken a few steps forward. The Czech Tomas Babak is the experienced mainstay at the back. Noah Beyer and Julian Fuchs are usually set on the two wings.
