On Friday morning, the heads of the handball Bundesliga teams will once again discuss how to deal with the Corona crisis. They will probably extend the previous suspension of game play. But wouldn't it make more sense to end the season?
Stuttgart (dpa) - The wish has been clear for a long time: Most club bosses of the 18 handball Bundesliga clubs would like to end the season currently suspended somehow. To do this, the season would have to be continued from mid-May at the latest.
At their next video conference on Friday morning (10.30 a.m.), the club heads will probably not decide to abort the season, for which some managers are pleading. What for and what speaks against a possible continuation:
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: Since some clubs do not even have their own training facilities, they could probably only complete "normal" team units later than others. In addition, special rules apply in some federal states. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, the operation of all sports facilities is currently prohibited by the authorities until mid-June. "As of today, we didn't even have a hall in which we could train until June," said Balingen coach Jens Bürkle. If the season were continued in a timely manner, the teams would be at different levels in terms of training.
INJURY RISK: Continued play after weeks of individual training for players would also increase the risk of injury. If it could actually be played again from mid-May, the pros would have to run at relatively short intervals - although they would probably not even have been trained.
SHORT WORK: Not only record champion THW Kiel has applied for short-time work for players, coaches and employees in order to save on staff costs. "If the game is played again, the salaries would of course have to be paid again," explained Managing Director Jennifer Kettemann of the Rhein-Neckar Löwen.
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UNCERTAINTY: Then who gets down and who gets up? And who would be master? In addition: Who can play in the international competitions next season? These are just a few questions that arise with regard to a termination scenario. A perfect solution that satisfies all clubs seems illusory. If the season could somehow come to an end, at least these questions would resolve themselves.
MONEY: TV receipts only make up a small proportion of the clubs' budgets. But if the season were at least ended with ghost games, at least part of the money could still be generated from the television contract with the pay TV channel Sky. A further part of the sponsorship income would then flow, because advertising banners could be seen on TV.
COMPETITION: Competitive athletes want to measure themselves against the competition. Green table decisions are therefore only the last resort of choice. "Every athlete's heart strives for a sporting competition," says Lisa Hessler, managing director of Eulen Ludwigshafen.
Handball Bundesliga table
Chronological schedule of the handball Bundesliga