The start of the season in the handball Bundesliga: Who inherited serial master HB Ludwigsburg?

The women’s handball Bundesliga starts the new season without the series master from Ludwigsburg. In the year of the home World Cup, these are not optimal conditions – the season could be more exciting than ever.

Actually, in the 2025/26 season it should go up for German women’s handball. The league was able to win a name sponsor for the first time with the Alsco company. “This is a milestone in the further development of the Hbf”Christoph Wendt, Managing Director of Handball Bundesliga Women, said in February 2025. With Borussia Dortmund and the HB Ludwisburg, two teams were finally in use in the Champions League – another milestone for the league and the national team. And then the World Cup in their own country.

Now the season, which begins on Friday (August 29), is in the shade of the bankruptcy of HB Ludwigsburg. The master of the past four years was the figurehead of German women’s handball and at the same time the home of six national players. “Of course that was a dream situation. Many national players at the highest level with international stars”also emphasized national coach Markus Gaugisch in the sports show interview. Most players have found new clubs abroad or the Bundesliga, but this development is still a setback in preparation for the home World Cup.

Ludwigsburg was a dream situation for national coaches and the DHB

“Of course that left traces”admitted Gaugisch, “It was a turbulent summer.” With Xenia Smits (Metz Handball) and Viola Leuchter (Odense Handbold) only two players play in the Champions League and compete with the best athletes every day. “This is a difference between a team that ‘only’ plays Bundesliga. You can’t discuss that”said Gaugisch.

If you see it as a neutral fan, the fixed descent of the premium could not be more exciting for the entire league. The chasing role behind Ludwigsburg was already competitive in the past season. With runner-up Blomberg-Lippe, the Thuringian HC, Borussia Dortmund and HSG Bensheim-Auerbach, four teams are now part of the championship title. This in turn also likes the national coach Gaugisch. He said: “The anticipation is huge. Now that’s an open race.”

Borussia Dortmund as the only German team in the premier class

After the return of international Alina Grijseels, BVB not only produces the biggest player block for the DHB team, but is also the largest title aspirant from the squad. With Guro Nestaker, a former Ludwigsburg woman found a new home at the black and yellow. “The premier class will demand everything. We are proud that we were able to win an international class player for us “said Andreas Kuno, deputy department head of the BVB handball players.

Royal class – This is exactly what the national coach would have liked for more national players. Among other things for his captain Antje Döll. But you have to assume the situation now, because there were no other options, the national coach also knows. The left wing had switched to last year’s relegation candidate Neckarsulm after the bankruptcy. There you are understandably enthusiastic about the transfer coup: “We get a fantastic player and a fantastic personality”coach Thomas Zeitz praised his new player.

In Bensheim, too, one is not afraid of hymns of praise when it comes to the new obligations from the German champion. “Such players are worth gold in the Bundesliga”Trainer Ilka Fickinger was enthusiastic about the transfer of international Mareike Thomaier. The young playmaker is to compensate for the failure of Kim Irion (pregnancy) and will form a back room axis with Nina Engel. The national coach also sees that positively, “Because the two now have together every day.”

One can certainly say that leaving Ludwigsburg will dice the entire season. On the one hand, the playoff mode was adjusted. There will be no direct relegation (Ludwigsburg is certain) and the table eleventh plays a relegation against the vice champion of the 2nd league after the season. On the other hand, absolute top players had to change their clubs at the last minute. It will be exciting to observe which actors fit into their new team the fastest.

Thuringian HC relies on well -rehearsed squad and goalkeeper Reichert

Three teams from the favorite quartet have signed players from Ludwigsburg, only the Thuringian HC goes into the new season with its traditional squad. THC coach Herbert Müller has shaped a strong team around the top scorer Johanna Reichert in recent years. With Jana Scheib (TuS Metzingen) and Lotta Heider (Buxtehuder SV), the European League winner has strengthened itself, but there is the greatest change in the goalkeeper position.

The long -time international Dinah Eckerle has ended her career, Laura Kuske is supposed to fill out the gap. The 23-year-old’s performance will be decisive for whether the team from Erfurt can really play around the championship title. Because the other teams are nominally filled in this elemant position better than the THC. Including the vice champion from Blomberg, who strengthened at short notice with the national goalkeeper Nicole Roth from Ludwigsburg.

But even the four -time national player could not turn away the defeat in the Super Cup against the THC (30:31). In the meantime, the HSG led 13: 4 and sometimes played impressive handball. “It was a great stage for women’s handball”the national coach also described the event in front of 10,298 spectators in the Munich SAP Garden.

Vice master Blomberg awards the first title of the season

But the Thuringians were able to rely on the HBF player of the 2024/25 season: Johanna Reichert. The striker scored nine goals and seems to be in top shape at the beginning of the season. Prefered because Thuringia would not have played for the Supercup title, but the HB Ludwigsburg. But this season, it is known that everything is different anyway.