Bundesliga
After the Supercup triumph: THW Kiel ready for the championship fight
The people of Kiel celebrate winning the Supercup. photo
© David Indian song / dpa
Despite personnel problems, THW Kiel is going into the new Bundesliga season with confidence after winning the Supercup. The goal is to defend the title.
On the night drive home after the 13th After THW Kiel’s Supercup triumph, coach Filip Jicha allowed his protégés a winner’s beer on the bus – but the first title of the new season with the handball record champion was not celebrated in a big way.
“I come from Pilsen. Of course, after every title they win, the players can get a crate of beer for the team. They don’t have to ask,” said Jicha with a big smile and then added quite seriously: “Success is icing on the cake, but the season is just getting started. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
In the afternoon, the Czech invites his team back to training. After all, the Kielers will start their title defense mission in the Bundesliga on Sunday with newly promoted HBW Balingen-Weilstetten – and for once not as the top favourite.
National coach bets on Magdeburg
Many experts rate their northern rivals SG Flensburg-Handewitt higher this season. And national coach Alfred Gislason is betting on another champion. “I see Magdeburg as the biggest favourite,” said the 63-year-old Icelander, regardless of Kiel’s fourth Supercup win in a row. According to Gislason, the THW has “the right mentality” in the fight for the title. “But Magdeburg has improved tremendously.”
Such forecasts also spur on the people of Kiel, who, after the departure of the two world stars Niklas Landin and Sander Sagosen, are currently also complaining about the injury-related absence of four top performers. “We are THW. We will do our job and want to win as many titles as possible. You have to keep us in mind,” said captain and line runner Patrick Wiencek after the dramatic 4:3 victory in the seven-meter throw against the Rhein-Neckar cup winners Löwen a declaration of war on the competition.
Rune Dahmke made similar bold tones. “We don’t have to hide. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be playing at the top again,” said the left winger, adding: “I think it’s nice that the favorites card went somewhere else before this season. But we know who we are, that we still have a very strong team and belong up there.”
Kiel wants to continue on its successful path
The self-image and the high standards of the people of Kiel have not suffered, which Jicha also made clear. “Our path has been very successful in recent years. We want to continue on that path,” said the 41-year-old. But he also knows: “The competition has moved incredibly close together.”
That was shown in Dusseldorf. The Rhein-Neckar Löwen acted in the high-class game (33:33) at eye level and were close to victory in the final phase, which young star Juri Knorr of all people missed with a missed penalty shortly before the end of regular time. “Both teams played an unbelievable game. It was an advertisement for handball,” praised Jicha.
He was happy and proud of the “lucky victory” in the end, because a seven-meter throw is always like a lottery, said former world-class player Jicha. Irrespective of this, THW Managing Director Viktor Szilagyi sees the team well prepared for the title fight. “The victory in the Supercup shows that we did a good job in preparation. I hope that gives us a boost for the start of the season,” he said.