Promotion game for handball players: Empor Rostock is fighting for the dream!

Promotion game for handball players: Empor Rostock is fighting for the dream!

HC Empor Rostock is facing a crucial second leg in the fight for promotion to the 2nd Handball Bundesliga. On Sunday, May 25th, they will face HC Oppenweiler/Backnang in Backnang, Baden-Württemberg at 4 p.m. After the Rostock team won the first leg with a narrow 27:26 victory, it is now important to successfully defend this lead. Only the winner of this encounter remains in the race for promotion, which increases the pressure immensely.

The team will hold the final training session on Saturday morning in the Fiete-Reder-Halle before the journey to Ludwigsburg begins. In total, the players cover a distance of 800 kilometers. Coach Nicolaj Andersson will conduct both individual and group discussions during the trip in order to optimally prepare the team for the decisive game. Arrival at the hotel is planned for late evening, which gives the players enough rest and the opportunity to sleep in.

Preparation and tactics

On Sunday morning there will be a tactical discussion and a relaxing walk, followed by lunch, after which the team will cover the last 25 kilometers to Backnang. Andersson emphasizes the immense importance of mental preparation for his players. Both teams expect only minimal changes in their attacking tactics compared to the first leg, which points to an exciting encounter.

The conditions for the second leg are challenging. A draw or a one-goal defeat would be enough for Rostock to stay in the promotion fight. However, if it comes to a 27:26 for Oppenweiler/Backnang, a seven-meter throw would have to decide whether they advance to the final. Whoever wins will meet the winner of the duel between TV Gelnhausen and Eintracht Hildesheim in the final, with Gelnhausen winning the first leg 27:24. The final, in which Empor would initially have home advantage, is planned for May 31st in the town hall.

Successes and challenges

What is particularly noteworthy is that HC Oppenweiler/Backnang won all 15 home games in the South season, which makes the challenge for Rostock all the greater. The Murrtal Arena in Backnang has a capacity of 772 seats and 200 standing places, with extensions for an additional 1,400 spectators. The first leg between the two teams also attracted an impressive 4,175 spectators, the largest crowd in HC Empor Rostock's club history.

In addition to the men's achievements, the Rostocker HC (Dolphins) women's team was also able to achieve success in the promotion battle. They recently won their first home game of the promotion round against Frankfurter HC with 29:23, having previously suffered a defeat against SG Kirchhof. The Dolphins' next game will take place on May 24th against HSG Freiburg in the Fiete-Reder-Halle.

The licensing commission of the Handball Bundesliga has also approved promotion for all third league clubs, which gives handball in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania additional motivation.

The cost estimate for the entire trip to Backnang is around 5000 euros, which underlines the challenges of the future climb. However, Rostock is determined to advance to the next round and take advantage of the promotion opportunities.

For more information about HC Empor Rostock's journey to the decisive second leg, fans can read the reports from Baltic Sea newspaper and NDR track.