The women from Bietigheim and their coach Markus Gaugisch wrote German handball history. They broke the previous record of 40 consecutive wins of the great THW Kiel from the 2011/12 season. Markus Gaugisch, the former Bundesliga player and coach, including at HBW Balingen-Weilstetten, registers the number because he is repeatedly asked about it.
But he also says: “41 wins in a row is the way to win titles. When we have something solid in our hands, we are satisfied. A lot of wins are a by-product of the way. But the most important thing is that we’re on end up standing.”
As a professional, the high school teacher for German and sports was above all an uncompromising worker in defense who gave and received a lot. SWR handball expert Ina Großmann has known him for years. The former international is enthusiastic about his way of playing handball. “The defensive game in particular is outstanding for the Bietigheimers this season. They play incredibly aggressively and agilely, block passing paths and steal balls. This results in their attack-like speed game. It’s really fun to watch.”
SG BBM peppered with national players
The 47-year-old trainer managed to get exceptional players to form a unit. Ina Großmann sees a clear handwriting: “He brought a lot of discipline and tactics into the Bietigheimer game. He has clear ideas about how his game should look like and that is being implemented very well, especially this season. In addition, there is the individual class of each player players. This combination makes it very difficult for any opponent at the moment.” So difficult that the SG circles alone in the Bundesliga.
Fewest goals conceded, most goals
A goal difference of +217 speaks volumes. The table second Dortmund comes to +102. The team even compensates for Corona failures like the last one in the quarter-final first leg in the European League without any problems. Four players were not there at the time. The SG BBM still won with 29:23 at ES Besançon. Markus Gaugisch is proud of his team: “Every day I feel that someone gets up in the morning with the aim of getting better.”
For many, the German champion is already certain
But only two points separate the SG BBM and the second from Dortmund. That’s why Markus Gaugisch warns: “We remain realistic, and it’s crucial that we don’t become overbearing and arrogant, but go into the hall and know that we’ll give it full throttle for 60 minutes.”
If you train the best German team, it arouses desires in others. For example, when it comes to the vacant post of women’s national coach. Henk Groener has not been national coach since mid-March, and the German Handball Association has not yet presented a successor.
Of course, that leaves a lot of room for speculation. The name Gaugisch is also mentioned frequently. “The post of national coach is the highest there is in Germany, but I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, so there’s not much to say about it. I can’t prevent rumours,” says Gaugisch.
In addition, the German and sports teacher extended his contract in Bietigheim in December last year. Even expert Großmann doesn’t want to add fuel to the fire. “I don’t want to say too much about it, but if someone is as convincing internationally with their club team as the Bietigheimers have been this season, you can think about it,” explains Großmann.
Markus Gaugisch hasn’t had enough after the DHB Cup and Supercup
Markus Gaugisch doesn’t need any restlessness in the environment at the moment with the ambitious goals: “Everything that distracts us is a danger. That’s why we try to ignore things like that. Me too.”
The next stage goal is to reach the Final Four in the European League. To do this, Besançon must be beaten at home in the second leg on Saturday. The starting position for this is excellent.