After the mixed pre-season, SG Flensburg-Handewitt seems to be able to attack at the top this year with a strengthened squad. In Lasse Möller, a long-term injured person is also back on board. The team check.
Only fourth place in the Handball Bundesliga, missed the Champions League and didn’t even reach the round of 16 in the DHB Cup – those responsible at SG Flensburg-Handewitt had a lot to work through during the summer break. The analysis was also about finding further explanations beyond the chronic bad luck with injuries and turning the appropriate screws.
Now the squad seems more options again and ready for big goals of the season. Almost all of the former problem children will be on board when the first kick-off of the new handball season sounds for the SG on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in Hamburg.
A lot of new things on the flanks – Möller fit again
All transfers concern the outside positions. Lasse Svan, Hampus Wanne and Marius Steinhauser are gone – only Emil Jakobsen has stayed and is set to become the new number one on the left wing. The Norwegian August Pedersen, who is rather unknown in this country, is planned as a backup.
Johan Hansen has Bundesliga experience on right wing. The man from the Faroe Islands has played in Hanover for the last two seasons. He will be supported by Teitur Einarsson, who has only been used in the right backcourt so far, and by youngster Leon Kirschberger.
The Flensburg are also happy about two “quasi-newcomers” in the backcourt. Half-left Lasse Möller had to be patient for over a year due to cartilage damage in his knee. Left-hander Magnus Röd first had to recover from a knee injury and then a corona infection.
Coach Machulla works on the tactics
Maik Machulla is entering his sixth season as head coach, but he never had so many points on the agenda at the start of the pre-season. Tactically, he dealt with new moves for a more variable attack, a more consistent use of seven field players and a 5:1 coverage as a second defensive formation.
In addition, some parameters in the environment came into focus: the medical care was fine-tuned and the sports medical examinations expanded. In the future, even more emphasis should be placed on the regeneration of the players. “If everyone can perform at their best and contribute their individual strengths, then we certainly have a team that can become German champions,” said the SG coach.
Prognosis: SG is a title contender
When the squad and batteries are full again, there can be no excuses: Flensburg are a hot candidate for the championship and for the finals of the European League and the DHB Cup. Tightening up a few adjustments in the support of the players and in the tactical area should help to make up for the deficit from the past season.
However, there could be unrest if, after Magnus Röd, Göran Sögard Johannessen and Simon Hald, who return home after the season, other players flirt with a premature farewell. A few months ago, for example, Jim Gottfridsson spoke to the Swedish press about the idea of emigration, despite a contract that runs until 2025.
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NDR 2 Sports | 01.09.2022 | 11:03 p.m
