SG Flensburg-Handewitt: On title hunt in the narrow Bundesliga race

SG Flensburg-Handewitt: On title hunt in the narrow Bundesliga race

SG Flensburg-Handewitt is ready to start the new season that will open against HC Erlangen on Friday. The Schleswig-Holsteiners have set themselves high goals: a return to the top of the handball Bundesliga, where they last celebrated the championship in 2019. The exciting constellation of the favorites makes the title race particularly fascinating this season, because Doppelmeister SC Magdeburg, the Foxes Berlin and the Eternal Rival THW Kiel have also clearly communicated their ambitions.

SG Flensburg-Handewitt recently announced the newcomer Domen Novak, which will be part of the team from summer 2025. The Slovenian right wing should bring a breath of fresh air to the team, while at the same time the contracts of Johan Hansen and Aksel Horgen were not extended. These changes in the squad are part of a strategic realignment that aims to remain competitive in the medium and long term. For the current season, however, the focus is clearly on immediate success.

challenges but also opportunities

In his assessment of the championship aspirants, Alfred Gislason, the national coach, the Flensburger and Magdeburg, identified as the main competitor. He emphasizes that the title race this season is more exciting and open than ever. In his opinion, Flensburg could even have an easy advantage due to the injury problems at Magdeburg. "There will be a three -way fight or even a four -way fight," said Gislason.

The sporting director of Ljubomir Vranjes takes over the role of favorites and emphasizes the qualities in the squad. "We have the competence to play at the top. We want to become masters," he explains. Internally, there is confidence in the skills of the players, but he also emphasizes that patience is necessary. The team around the Danish Olympic champion and silver medalist Johannes Golla has the potential to achieve great.

quality in the squad and new strategies

Ljubomir Vranjes sums up the SG's chances of success: "We have to achieve our top level, and that is constant." He emphasizes the need to become more efficient on the defensive and bring more variations into play. The return of goalkeeper Mats Olsson and assistant coach Anders Eggert will increase the team spirit and the strategic depth after Eggert himself played for the SG from 2006 to 2017.

Niclas Kirkeløkke, which is supposed to bring new impulses for the right back room, is particularly interesting. Coach Nicolej Krickau emphasizes his stability in the game, but at the same time brings the challenge into the discussion that he still has to get used to the team and the system. The expectations are high and Krickau emphasizes how important it is to continuously improve in order to achieve the Champions League qualification.

In order to be sporty in the coming season, the Flensburg not only have to make strategic adjustments, but also break new ground on the offensive. "Last year the responsibility was too much on the left back space," explains Krickau and demands a more balanced distribution of the game for an improved performance. Due to the strong competition, the teams have no time for mistakes.

The economic importance of a qualification for the Champions League is also not underestimated. A new move into the premier class could be crucial for the financial stability of the association. This was last possible for the Flensburger in the 2021/22 season, and the team urgently wants to build on this series of success.

While the SG Flensburg-Handewitt is preparing for the new season, the first outlook analyzes and predictions show that the fight for the title could be harder than ever. The team is ready to give everything and build on the successes of recent years, even if obstacles stand in the way. The start of Erlangen will be representative of the entire season: a real struggle for every point and the dream of the championship.