The Ukrainian champions HK Motor Zaporozhye can play as a guest starter in the 2nd Bundesliga – that leads to discussions.
Some speak of one “nice gesture of solidarity”others call it “funny”, “Nonsense” or “just crazy”: The reactions are tough, the special starting right for the Ukrainian series champion HK Motor Zaporozhye in the 2nd Bundesliga is not only causing heated discussions in the handball scene.
HBL Managing Director Bohmann: “Act of Humanity”
Frank Bohmann, who has campaigned for the process, which is unique in the German professional leagues, leaves the many malicious comments and hate messages cold. The Bundesliga boss energetically rejected the criticism of the surprising inclusion of Zaporozhye from the coming season.
“Yes, you can always see something black and something white. But this thing is actually an act of humanity.”the HBL managing director told the Sport Information Service (SID) on Thursday and made it clear: “We want to set an example for peace and give handball players the opportunity to continue practicing their profession.” At the same time, the team, which is based only a few kilometers from the front line, “Protect against Russian missiles. Zaporozhye is under fire from the Russian army. We can protect not only jobs here, but also lives.”
HK Motor Zaporozhye not classified
The HBL plan provides for the Ukrainian top team to take part in the second division as the 20th team in the coming season – albeit outside of the sporting classification. Düsseldorf provides accommodation for the team and their families. His home games will be Zaporozhye, which has the necessary game practice for the German league Champions League wants to get, complete in the more than 3,000 spectators in the Castello in Düsseldorf.
But the Ukrainian side has also criticized the hastily cobbled together plan. Basically, there are two sides that you have to consider when it comes to the topic, said Sascha Gladun, a former Bundesliga professional and current Secretary General of the Ukrainian Handball Association, SID. Sporty, social and human “Of course it’s a huge story that players and families are safe and the team is allowed to play in the strongest second division in the world”said Gladun. But if you get the green light to resume the Ukrainian league, “Then we start too. And then the question is: What about Zaporozhye?”
Start of the season at the beginning of September
Game operations in Ukraine are currently on hold due to Russia’s war of aggression – and Bohmann does not expect the situation to change any time soon. “It seems out of the question that there will be a competition in Ukraine next year”according to the league boss: “But it remains the case that it’s a temporary solution. We’re not thinking any further.”
The season in the German lower house begins at the beginning of September. After a few guest appearances and training stays by the motor players, who largely make up the Ukrainian national handball team, that will be the case “all-seasonal solidarity project” now supported by the 19 clubs of the 2nd HBL, according to a press release.
“It’s really complicated”
Gladun, on the other hand, is a “Slightly surprised that we don’t have any written confirmations yet. I haven’t seen any document yet, not about the club’s intentions. Not about any meetings. And no written evidence from the Handball Bundesliga either.” Bohmann replies that there is a decision by the clubs in the 2nd division. You can “To be formalized again at our general meeting in the summer. From our point of view, however, it is definite. In the 22/23 season, Zaporozhye will compete in the 2nd Bundesliga.”
Detailed planning for the coming days and weeks shouldn’t be that easy – on the contrary, believes Gladun: “It’s really complicated.”