The THW Kiel said goodbye with a 36:35 (20:15) success against Eisenach and fourth in the season of the Handball Bundesliga. But it was not the sporting success against the Thuringians, but the last game of district runner legend Patrick Wiencek was in the foreground on Sunday afternoon in the Baltic Sea hall.
The 36-year-old was celebrated by the fans after his 492nd first division game with standing ovation. 17 years after his debut in Germany’s highest division for Tusem Essen, the native of Duisburg played his last effort as a professional.
His contract with the THW, for which he had been on the record since 2012, was not extended. At the end of a title -rich and moving career, the crowd favorite with his side people went again through a wave pool of feelings – happy ending. “It was always a lot of fun to play here. It was always goosebumps moments. And I will never forget them in my life,” said Wiecek via indoor microphone.
However, the farewell performance of the long-standing international was overshadowed by the possibly serious injury to his district colleague Hendrik Pekeler. WIENCEKS Nextmann in the middle block had to be replaced in the first half with suspicion of an Achilles tendon tear.
WIENCEK leads Team onto the floor instead of Duvnjak
With his children Lotta and Paul on the hand, Wiencek entered the Baltic Hall in the confetti rain. Captain Domagoj Duvnjak had given the district runner to this honor. And of course, when the lights approached, all eyes were first focused on the 2.01 meter tall and 110 kilogram colossus. The facial features of the blond cress betray little about his soul state at these moments.
The 36-year-old smiled at the ceiling beams. Then he gently stroked his children over his head and looked more thoughtful. It can be assumed that a lot of thoughts went through his heads in these moments. Because after the announcement of his withdrawal from the professional sport, Kiel’s “White Giant” had made no secret of the fact that the approaching end of his profile career emotionally troubles him.
“BAM-BAM” is celebrated frenetically for each goal
And now that the last 60 minutes as a vocational handball player was imminent, Wiencek forced himself to the Iron Self -Discipline one last time, with which he had made it to one of the best German circular runners of all time. Even this last game, which was meaningless for the Tableau, the native of Duisburg wanted to win with the Malocher mentality. Absolutely even how it showed immediately after the start.
THW Kiel – THSV Eisenach 36:35 (20:15)
Tore THW Kiel: Madsen 8, Johansson 6, Wiencek 6, Duvnjak 4, E. Ellefsen A Skipagotu 3, Imre 3/1, M. Landin 3, Dahmke 1, Pekeler 1, ÖsBy 1
THSV Eisenach: Grgic 9/2, S. Mengon 7, Attenhofer 6, Donker 4, Reichmuth 3, Vistorop 3, Hangstein 1, Snajder 1, Walz 1
Viewers: 10285 (sold out)
Germany’s “Handballer of the Year 2018” went to work with his own dynamics and force on the record from the start. After almost two and a half minutes, “BAM-BAM” achieved, as Wiencek is called to the son of Barney Greöllheimer from the TV series “Feuerstein”, his 995 Bundesliga goal for 2-2 equalization.
Soon after, another goal to 5: 3 followed. When the THW legend later increased to 16: 9 (23rd), much indicated that the Kielers would celebrate a victory at the last dance of “Piet” in the Baltic Hall. And the Wiencek, celebrated after each goal from the “zebras” fans? He clenched the fists after his “booths” and looked as concentrated as if his team was still concerned with the Champions League victory.
“One of the greatest Kiel legends of all time”
The defense specialist with the North Germans brought the “royal classes” trophy to the Waterkant twice. The 36-year-old master, five times the cup winner and once EHF Cup winner, became six times. In addition, Olympic bronze 2016 in Rio with the DHB selection, for which he ran 159 times. When THW manager Viktor Szilagyi and Coach Filip Jicha von “One of the greatest Kiel legends of all time” speak, this is not exaggerated, but a factual statement.
Pekeler injured – shifts in the end of the career?
Nevertheless, the record champion has not extended the expiring contract with Wiencek. Instead, Pekeler received a new working paper. However, the man from Itzehoe injured himself in the middle of the first section, had to be brought into the cabin supported (19th) and could be longer. If the veteran is missing for months, the Viennakk career end could still be delayed.
THW circuit runner Hendrik Pekeler injured his foot and had to be brought into the cabin.
In the future, his job should actually be the THW office. In addition, as a representative of the club, he will certainly collect many points for his Miles-and-More account. Before the meek giant will be devoted to his career after the handball career, on July 25th there is still his farewell game under the motto “Ahoi Patrick”. Of course in his “living room”, the Baltic Sea hall. So is the plan. So everything is already organized. But now everything could come differently because of the Beekeler injury.
Eisenach becomes meanwhile to the party crasher
The defense chief’s injury hit the keels on the mind. After the change of sides, the lightness of the first section could not be felt much for you. Eisenach caught up gate around goal and was able to compensate for 23:23 by Simone Mengon (38th). Shortly afterwards, Marko Grgic even took care of the Thuringian leadership (26: 25/39.).
What was planned on the THW side as a lavish WIENCEK party now became a kind of party with uninvited guests. The THSV was now exactly the party crasher that the record champion was feared when he was saying goodbye to his cult circuit.
WIENCEK in the truest sense of the word last shirt gives
But thanks to keeper Andreas Wolff, who had replaced Tomas Mrkva (switched to Leipzig) in the goal, and an increase in performance, the Schleswig-Holsteiners turned a bankruptcy. As always, Wiencek gave his last shirt. And in this case even in the truest sense of the word. In the 49th minute, the 36-year-old took off his jersey. Not to dance naked for his guests, like many other farewell feet, but because there were a few blades on the jersey.
With a new top, the colossus immediately threw itself back into the action. And one and a half minutes before Ultimo, “Bam-Bam” then left his 1,000. Bundesliga goal for 35:33 Tail the hall.
Eisenach coach merchant with a large gesture
Seconds later, Misha Kaufmann took a break so that the public could celebrate Viennese after his anniversary goal. A great gesture of the guest coach. All spectators rose from their seats and donated thundering applause to the circuit runner. The 36-year-old bowed several times in front of the followers and seemed very granted at these moments.
Shortly afterwards the final siren sounded. WIENCEK was now cuddled by his teammates and accepted the congratulations with a broad smile on his face. He will soon have processed what happened that afternoon. What happened in his 17 years of professional years will certainly be busy “BAM-BAM” for a very long time. And it remains unforgettable in German handball.
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Schleswig-Holstein Magazin | 08.06.2025 | 7:30 p.m.
