Champions League Competition - The pinnacle achievement remains elusive: Bietigheim fails to secure top league championship
Feeling disheartened, the members of SG BBM Bietigheim made their way to their devoted fans. The acclaimed German handball champion had missed out on the trophy of an exceptional season on a European platform. In the Champions League finale on a Sunday evening, the team coached by Jakob Vestergaard was bested by the dominant Hungarian top team and record holder, Audi ETO Györ, by a score of 24:30 (12:17).
As the players received their silver medals from Michael Wiederer, the President of the European Handball Federation, they managed to smile once more. "If you're in the final, you want to win," shared national player Jenny Behrend. "But we can say tomorrow that we won silver." Though they couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, including the first-ever final appearance of a German team since the inception of the King's League, they surrendered it momentarily.
There's only one title this season. In the third league, the team (now HB Ludwigsburg) under Vestergaard's leadership, snagged the championship early. In the DHB Cup, they unexpectedly lost to TuS Metzingen.
"We can be incredibly proud and satisfied. Reaching the final of the highest tournament was our objective from the team. But honestly, not this season," shared Antje Döll. "It's crazy that we're about to honor our performance right now." This final appearance ranks as the greatest accomplishment in the club's history.
The group faced significant difficulties in the early stages of the match. Györ, having earned the favorite status, exhibited superb pace and solid goalkeeping. After 11 minutes, the Hungarian champions had a 6:2 advantage and never relinquished it.
The entry of SG into the final speaks to the progressive growth of German women's handball. The qualification for the Olympics in France, which occurred in April, brought sheer joy to the players, supporters, and stakeholders. For the first time since 2008 in Beijing, the DHB team is competing for medals.
National coach Gaugisch banks on a boost from this experience. "This tournament will give our national players a boost," he stated prior to the finale. "Just being there and handling these moments is invaluable for the growth of the national players." He regards the accomplishment as a vital message to the youth. "The youngsters now see they can attain it. However, requires immense effort and dedication. It's a target, and it's attainable as a German player," said the 50-year-old before the tournament. The Bundesliga is regaining its worldwide recognition. "Everyone benefits," he added. And DHB President Andreas Michelmann said, "I'm confident that we'll carry on this journey, both at the club level and with our national team."
