Turbine Potsdam is about to relapse again. Much suggests that it could be a farewell forever. The most important questions and answers on the current situation and future of the traditional association. By Marc Schwitzky
What is the sporting situation at Turbine Potsdam?
A single point and a goal difference of -57 -the location of Turbine Potsdam After 18 game days in the women’s Bundesliga, looks more than dark. In the case of four outstanding games, the Brandenburg women already separate six points from the saving bank, but the lousy goal difference presses on the balance sheet like another point.
A mixture of unfortunate gameplays, injury problems, but above all a lack of quality have torn the climber into a downward vigor, which did not make him competitive over long stretches of the season. “We were unable to take the spirit of the return and, despite some good appearances, we really tortured ourselves,” says club president Karsten Ritter-Lang to RBB | 24.
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Is there still hope for relegation?
Potsdam faces a real final. On Saturday (12 p.m.) you will meet the co -promoter and direct competitor Carl Zeiss Jena, who is in front of you six points. “Let’s not win it, it is over. But I am sure that in a victory against Jena there is a huge jerk through the team and everything would be possible,” says coach Kurt Russ RBB | 24.
In the first leg, Turbine won the only point of the season so far. Player Viktoria Schwalm also tries to radiate optimism: “We have not yet relegated and still have the four games. It would be the wrong approach to believe that we would not be able to stay in the league anyway.”
“I think it is very unlikely because Potsdam will probably have to win three from the last games and get a tie to have another chance. I would not put anything on turbine in the situation,” says ex-national player and TV expert Almuth Schult in conversation with RBB | 24 skeptically.
Potsdam still has a chance against Women representatives The big men’s associations?
Should turbine descend, the SGS Essen would remain a single women’s club without a strong men’s representative in the back in the 1st division. In the 2nd league there are also fewer and fewer pure women’s clubs. They are now even displaced by second representations of the big clubs. A development of the past few years in which men’s clubs are increasingly pushing into women’s football and often also taking over clubs – turbine can hardly keep up here without a wealthy background.
In 2024, Almuth Schult played as an active goalkeeper of Hamburger SV against Turbine Potsdam. (Photo: Imago / Lobeca)
“It is a curse and blessing that those clubs are taken over. On the one hand, it helps a club that strives for professional conditions extremely when it is converted from now on to such large structures. On the other hand, you lose your independence,” explains ex-player Schult. “Tradition and history are extremely important in men’s football – but unfortunately both disappear more and more in women’s football.”
How is Turbine preparing for the impending descent?
Preparing for a possible walk into the 2nd league has been running since February – since then the clubs have been able to make the license applications at the DFB. Turbine plans two tracks, which is accompanied by many uncertainties. “Of course we have ideas about the squad design, but we have to think in both directions. If we manage to stay in the league, we naturally have other options for obligations and contract extensions than with a relegation,” explains President Ritter-Lang.
In the 2nd league, the squad would of course look different, “there would also be a question mark in terms of the size of the coaching team. We are going through these scenarios, but nothing is currently specific,” said Ritter-Lang. Accordingly, the association cannot currently conduct any targeted discussions with final and cancellations to employees and players.
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How big will the financial damage of a descent be?
According to President Ritter-Lang, Turbine would have to make significant savings if the club descends again: “The difference between league one and two is highly relevant. That makes a lot of things in the household.” The fact is that the Brandenburg women have to accept an immense loss of TV funds. For the 2024/25 season, 388,000 euros will be distributed from the league to the traditional club. The amount of the TV revenue in the 2nd division is not known, but should only be a fraction of the first division.
With a view to the sponsorship situation, Ritter-Lang draws a mixed balance. Despite the uncertain league affiliation, the talks about follow -up contracts would go well. The still greatest and most difficult topic is the search for a main sponsor. There has been a gap here since June 2024 after the betting provider “Crazy Buzzer” ended prematurely the cooperation that was actually created until 2026.
“This is still an almost unsolvable task. We try everything, but the willingness is not high,” says Ritter-Lang frustrated. Do not open doors. “I think that’s a shame, because this is how traditions are abolished.” A descent would continue to make the search for a main sponsor more difficult.
Can turbine the direct First division return target?
“It will be different from the first descent. We were able to afford a certain luxury with the aim of the direct return last season because we had done well. That will not be the case this time,” said Ritter-Lang. “This will reach into the office, we may not be able to keep all employees,” the club president paints a dark scenario.
A new descent would also have an impact on the squad, turbine would also have to make bigger compromises here than in the 2023/24 season. “Of course we want to try to set up the best possible squad to be competitive in the 2nd league. This will ultimately depend on our economic possibilities. It will be difficult,” said Ritter-Lang.
Karsten Ritter-Lang has been President of Turbine Potsdam since November 2022. (Photo: Imago / Matthias Koch)
What happens if Potsdam doesn’t rise again after a year?
While Potsdam threatens to relegate again, German women’s football does not sleep – also regionally. “Basically, the starting point for Turbine Potsdam and its influence on the region have changed significantly in recent years. In the past, there was no big club in Berlin, which means that Turbine had the region alone,” explains expert Schult.
With Union Berlin, Viktoria Berlin and Hertha BSC, there is now a great up -and -coming competition with good infrastructure. “Of course, competition enlivens the business because it generally attracts greater attention, but the individual club will probably be more difficult to win the talents and sponsors.”
An unsatisfactory search for sponsorship, use of use of financial reserves, the growing regional competition and the fundamental development in German women’s football – for Turbine Potsdam, a soup has gathered in recent years that seems to be unexpected. If the direct first division return is not successful, the great traditional club may face the final farewell from the upper house.
Broadcast: RBB The day, April 11th, 2025, 6 p.m.
