Crisis in women's handball: HB Ludwigsburg files for bankruptcy!

Crisis in women's handball: HB Ludwigsburg files for bankruptcy!

The news struck like lightning: HB Ludwigsburg GmbH & Co. KG has filed an application to open insolvency proceedings at the local court. The handball world and the sports show unanimously report this. The former model club in German women's handball is facing a huge upheaval and no one really knows what will happen next. Captain Xenia Smits reacted to the news with a mix of surprise and concern. According to Smits, she would have been willing to make compromises if there had been a clear plan for the future. But that hasn't happened yet and is unsettling the players.

The Handball Bundesliga (HBF) cannot currently make a decision regarding HB Ludwigsburg's participation in future games. However, there remains the possibility that the club could take part in the game with a changed squad. According to reports from handball-world and sport.de, a procedure opened could have a significant impact on participation, including a possible deduction of eight plus points. For the players, the bankruptcy means that they are no longer bound to their contracts, which is particularly challenging in the current season planning.

The effects of bankruptcy

A big question mark hovers over the upcoming home World Championships in four months. The six national players of HB Ludwigsburg need clarity as the financial situation in women's handball is tense. Anja Althaus, DHB team manager, sees the day of bankruptcy as a “black day for women’s handball”. The plans for the World Cup will be significantly affected by the changed situation of the players. It is therefore extremely urgent that the handball community quickly finds solutions to support the players.

According to Herbert Müller, one of those responsible, the club's image has already suffered enormous damage. In the future, HB Ludwigsburg, which has won an impressive six German championship titles and several cups in the last eight years, will have to compete in the Baden-Württemberg state league. Unfortunately, the club is not the first former champion to file for bankruptcy - a bitter pill for the entire scene, as Buxtehude's manager Peter Prior said, who speaks of a bitter setback for women's handball.

The future of women's handball

What to Expect After Bankruptcy? The players now urgently need to look for new clubs as the season planning is already well advanced. Some have already signaled that they might leave the club. In addition, those responsible at HB Ludwigsburg contacted more than 250 companies in an attempt to close the financial gap, but without much success. The commitment of the main sponsor Olymp, which was crucial for the club's rise, has also recently been reduced since June 2024.

The current situation should also be seen as a wake-up call for sustainable structures in women's handball. Romina Heßler from the HSG Bensheim/Auerbach demands that more be invested in youth work. In order to continue to create a successful league in the future, improving talent and quality in the youth sector is crucial, as Smits also emphasizes.

Amid these difficulties, the German women's national handball team is preparing for the World Cup. One of the central figures is Kim Naidzinavicius, who is an experienced player with 100 appearances and 237 goals. She has been playing at the highest level for many years and has had a decisive influence on the team in the past. National coach Markus Gaugisch wants to continue preparations for the World Cup despite concerns about the players.

It remains exciting to see how the situation at HB Ludwigsburg and women's handball as a whole develops. A strong and well-structured system is essential to prevent such financial uncertainties in the future.