As of: December 20, 2023 11:09 a.m
The Handball Sport Club Hamburg has finally arrived in the Bundesliga relegation battle after the 28:43 disaster against SC Magdeburg. The Hanseatic League’s performance in the first half against the club world champions was unworthy of a team that almost made it into the European Cup last season.
At the end of his four-minute statement at the press conference after the duel with the “Gladiators”, Torsten Jansen had found his sense of humor again. “Despite everything, Merry Christmas to everyone, a happy new year and a nice life and all that,” concluded the HSVH coach, laughing heartily. The 2007 world champion had previously criticized his team harshly, which is currently making his life particularly difficult in his fifth year in office.
Jansen: “In retreat under all the chaos”
“It was still within reach until 6:10. After that, we simply didn’t score any more at the front and were in a complete retreat. That’s not enough against any opponent – and especially not against Magdeburg,” said the 46-year-old. “This is a top European team, if you move back so lethargically then you’ll get hit one after the other.”
AUDIO: HSVH goalkeeper Bitter: “We just let the SCM do it” (3 min)
Tissier: “Worst half of the season”
At the end of a memorable evening in the multi-purpose hall in the Volkspark, Jansen and his Hamburgers suffered the biggest defeat after returning to the first division in 2021. In the first 30 minutes, which went to the guests with a score of 27:9 (!), the HSVH was demonstrated in every way. Of course, Jansen’s tough analysis included the fact that Magdeburg had an “astronomical effectiveness” in attack of 90 percent of converted throws. “This might happen to you once in your handball life,” the coach said later.
At halftime it got very loud in the dressing room, as middleman Leif Tissier revealed in an interview with NDR: “Each of us knew that we weren’t allowed to present ourselves like that here, that it was simply not befitting our status.” It was “the worst half of the season,” added the playmaker. “I also got a kick out of it because we were a group of pensioners in retreat,” explained Jansen.
HSVH has been winless for five games
After just one point from the last five games, the air is getting thinner for HSVH in the bottom of the table. The lead over table 17th. ThSV Eisenach, who occupies the first relegation spot, still has four points. However, in view of the negative pressure that the Hanseatic people have found themselves in, the utmost attention is required.
“We have to give it our all again and clear our heads so that we can show what we’re actually capable of again. That’s much, much more than we’ve shown so far,” said Jansen, looking ahead to the last game of the year on Saturday ( 8.30 p.m.) at TBV Lemgo Lippe.
Then the trainer mused – not when asked, but on his own initiative – about the reasons for the Hamburg crisis, revealing a certain helplessness and powerlessness. “It’s so complex, there are so many factors involved – it almost leaves me speechless because at some point you no longer have any influence.”
Further information
The SG handball players won at home against Lemgo Lippe 34:29, the Hamburg team lost against SC Magdeburg 28:43. more
Jansen hopes for a liberation in Lemgo
The European Championship break after the Lemgo game undoubtedly comes at a good time for the Hanseatic League, who have had a lot of bad luck with injuries this season. At least pivot Andreas Magaard (broken rib) will probably be able to play again when the Bundesliga restarts at the beginning of February. Meanwhile, the season is over for backcourt player Dominik Axmann (torn cruciate ligament). It is not yet clear whether HSVH will sign a replacement.
In any case, Jansen will have to make do without reinforcements in Lemgo. The coach is still confident that the trend reversal can be achieved there. As weak as his team’s performance was in the first half against Magdeburg, he was just as convincing in the second round, which was won 19:16. “We didn’t let ourselves be slaughtered. That gives me a good feeling for the last game,” said Jansen .
One thing is already certain: the coach definitely has a reason to celebrate on Saturday: he will be 47 years old on the day of the Lemgo game.
Further information
Results, table standings and match days at a glance. more
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Hamburg Journal | 12/20/2023 | 19:30 o’clock
2023-12-21 09:29:38
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