Patrick Wiencek was the celebrated man at the Cup altrium at the THW Kiel. On the podium, the circular runner, who ended his career in summer, was given a special honor. But he had to be pushed into the spotlight.
Hein Daddel had to reorient. Actually, the cute mascot of the THW Kiel, a human -sized zebra with a slightly more than subtle abdominal base, had put the arm around Patrick Wiencek on the side of the podium. But he was snatched-by Domagoj Duvnjak, the great playmaker of the Schleswig-Holsteiner in the 28:23 final victory against the MT Melsungen.
The Croatian captain of the new DHB Cup winner showed a wonderful sense of the situation at the moment of the triumph. He called “Bam-Bam”, as Wiencek is called to Barney Greöllheimer from the “Feuerstein family” TV series. And the 2.01 m tall, strong circular runner moved – partly on his own, sometimes he was pushed by his teammates – finally to Dunvjak and the trophy.
Twelve title win for Wiencek with THW Kiel
It should be Wiencek who, for the first time, stretch the silver trophy in front of the shiny eyes of his teammates in the golden confetti rain. That was Duvnjak’s plan. It was a tribute to the 36 -year -old, long -time teammate, which had come from VfL Gummersbach to the Kiel Fjord in 2012, who had now won his twelfth title with the THW, and who will end his professional career at the end of this season and then switch to the club’s office.
On this day so wonderful for the THW fans, Wiencek also performed this task with flying colors – to the delight of his teammates and Hein Daddel. The mascot had reacted pragmatically to the gap in front of him. At first it had opened up to Magnus Landin, after all, it put the arm around Duvnjak, who had pushed itself to Wiecek’s original place on the side.
“You can tell how he burns and lives for the club.”
– Rune Dahmke about Patrick Wiencek
“He resisted a bit at first,” left left wing Rune Dahmke to the NDR to Wiencek’s act on the podium. “But I think you can see the tears in his eyes a bit after the semi-finals against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. You can tell how he burns and lives for the club. He sacrificed everything for it, his body, his mind. We are almost happier that we have given him it at the end. If one deserves, then he.”
And Wiencek visibly enjoyed the moments. How the handball player of the year 2018 stood there in front of the curve with the celebrating THW fans, in the spotlight of the otherwise dark Cologne arena, behind him applaud the teammates in the semicircle, and how he then stretched the 3.5 kilogram trophy up again and again with both hands – that almost had something iconic.
“He deserves that because he did so much for the club.”
– Hendrik Pekeler
In the further course of the day, the homage pounded on the gentle giants, the family people. “I am incredibly pleased for him that he goes into the handball pension with the trophy. That ‘Due” left him the trophy, he deserves because he did so much for the club, “said district runner colleague Hendrik Pekeler.
And goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, who has been awarded the “player of the tournament”, said the following words: “He is one of our leaders, he is a fantastic person, a great leader on and off the field. And that’s why he is also captain, and of course he is also the honor.
WIENCEK stood next to it and was visibly touched on this words. He also went into Duvnjak: “This is a gesture of him that will always stay inside me and which I will always remember.”
THW Kiel against Wednesday Bundesliga leader Berlin
For a long time to celebrate there is no for Wiencek and Co. After all, the now 13-time DHB Cup winner continues on Wednesday (7 p.m.)-in a different competition. In the Bundesliga, none other than the leader Füchse Berlin is a guest.
In the title race around the German Championship, Kiel is in a not too comfortable location. The THW is nominally fourth, but four teams have fewer minus points. The sixth -placed SC Magdeburg (33:11 points) is still behind with three games. For Kiel (36:14), winning the championship is unlikely: By winning against Berlin (40:10), the little bit of hope would undoubtedly glimmer.
Further title chance in the European League
“A victory gives you energy and two victories at the Final Four inspire you at the moment,” said THW coach Filip Jicha. And who knows, maybe WIENCEK does not “only” go with a trophy in handball pension. After all, Kiel is also in the quarter-finals in the European League, where they will meet Limoges handball from France from April 22nd.
So it could be that the former international will be on a podium again in the next few weeks and the trophy will be pressed in hand. Just like on Sunday, when Hein Daddel actually had him in his arms. Quiet on the edge.
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Sports club | 04/13/2025 | 10:50 p.m.
