The hoped-for rescue did not materialize. On January 15, 2016, the district court opened the insolvency proceedings. Insolvency administrator Gideon Böhm wanted to decide within two weeks whether a new beginning would be possible – like in 2005 – or whether the club would ultimately fail. At the same time, suspicions grew that HSV had illegally secured the Bundesliga license. There was an accusation of fraud, once again triggered by uncertainty about the Rudolph millions needed as security.
The league got ahead of the insolvency administrator. On January 20, 2016, the HBL revoked HSV Hamburg’s right to play. The reason for the move was that “documents in the licensing process for the current season were not submitted completely and truthfully”. What was meant was an additional agreement to Andreas Rudolph’s declaration of commitment, which had not been submitted to the league. HSV was therefore the first to be relegated. Böhm’s only option was to immediately deregister from the game.
The former heavyweight was history. HSV Hamburg won the DHB Cup in 2006 and 2010, the German Championship in 2011, the DHB Supercup four times (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010), the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 2007 and the Champions League in 2013.
However, the bankruptcy only affected the professional company. The amateur teams were allowed to continue playing in the 2015/16 season – and did so successfully. The U23 won the championship in the upper league, was promoted to the 3rd league and from then on became the first team.
The sporting revival followed gradually. In 2018, the newly formed HSVH returned to the 2nd Bundesliga. On June 23, 2021, the club was back where it had plunged into chaos at the end of 2015: after 2,004 days, the Hamburg team was promoted again to the handball Bundesliga. HSVH still plays there today. The club has not yet been able to repeat its previous titles, but has once again positioned itself among the established teams as a successful training club.