The German Handball Association (DHB) pulled a positive interim conclusion when selling ticket sales 100 days before the start of the world championship.
The shock of the financial collapse of the German champion HB Ludwigsburg is digested, the view of the German handball players goes forward 100 days before the start of the home World Cup. “It is a dream to come to Rotterdam. We would like to end the tournament there,” said national coach Markus Gaugisch at an advertising event in Dortmund about the sporting ambitions of the DHB selection.
The final round from November 26 to December 14 in Germany and the Netherlands, where the medals are awarded on the final weekend, offers the great chance to make positive headlines and to get the women a little out of the men’s shadow. “It is up to us to inspire people for us,” said Rückraum-Ace Alina Grijseels.
In order for this to succeed, the German handball federation makes great efforts. “We are concerned with attention, respect and recognition for women’s sports,” said DHB CEO Mark Schober.
Ludwigsburg case as a reminder
The recent knockout of the master and cup winner Ludwigsburg showed how fragile the structure is, who had to apply for bankruptcy due to financial difficulties. “It was sad and shocking. It is a shame that the figurehead of German women’s handball breaks away. Now everyone is asked so that it doesn’t hit other teams,” said Grijseels.
For Schober, the case shows “how difficult the market for professional women’s sports is despite positive development in Germany and Europe. This is precisely why the DHB is convinced that it is greater attention to further professionalize the economic environment for women’s handball together with the HBF,” he said.
The collapse of the Double winner also had an impact on the DHB selection. “Many of our internationals could have optimally prepared for the World Cup there,” said Schober. After all: After troubled weeks, five selection players have now been accommodated by other clubs.
DHB strengthens women’s sports
In general, the association thinks is on the right track to slowly close the huge gap to the men. For example, women get the same daily allowance in all national team courses as the men. DHB President Andreas Michelmann called this a “overdue step. I am glad that we finally went this in the year of the home World Cup.”
That is why months ago, a broad campaign was started under the motto “Hands Up for more”, in which a number of international players are very open to the problems. “I am happy that a movement is created around it, because we are still at the beginning. If the campaign is taken seriously, this can make a big contribution to women’s handball,” said Gaugisch.
National players Name deficits
Because despite all efforts, things are only difficult – especially at the club level. “I don’t know to what extent all teams are professionally built up in terms of management. Whether there is really a long -term idea behind it,” said Julia Maidhof.
Not all Bundesliga teams still have a hall with a capacity of at least 1,500 places. The clubs have just been extended by the end of the 2028/29 season in order to meet them in the further development strategy anchored five years ago.
In the past Bundesliga season with a total of 200,272 fans – the average of 1,244 per game – a record record was recorded. Compared to the men, whose games watched an average of 5,525 visitors in the halls, the women continue to live a shadowy existence.
“With us, the halls are getting bigger and fuller. This is a great development. But it would be cool if the halls would be as trouble as crowded as in men and the mood is similar,” said Mareike Thomaier. So far, 35 percent of tickets have been sold a good three months before the World Cup start. “We still have some work to do,” said CEO Schober.
Men are light years ahead
And then there is the general perception. “You still have a little feeling that women’s handball is smiled at every now and then,” said Viola Leuchter. Not to mention the structures that are still about worlds.
According to Antje Döll, it is “possible in very few clubs to train professionally”. Backaum-Ace Xenia Smits took this with an example: “I think very few men’s teams would be satisfied with being thrown out of the hall after training because school sports come in. This is normal in women’s handball.”