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Flensburg's Johannes Golla in the Champions League game against FK Motor Zaporizhschja, December 2021
Photo:
Ingrid Anderson-Jensen / imago images/Lobeca
Some speak of a "nice gesture of solidarity", others call it "weird", "nonsense" or "just crazy": The reactions are tough, the special starting right for the Ukrainian series champion FK Motor Zaporischschja in the 2nd Bundesliga not only causes heated discussions in the handball scene.
Frank Bohmann, one of the masterminds of the process, which is unique in the German professional leagues, leaves the many malicious comments and hate messages cold.
The Bundesliga boss energetically rejected the criticism of the surprising inclusion of Zaporizhschja from the coming season.
»Yes, you can always see something black and something white.
But this matter is actually an act of humanity, "said the HBL managing director to the Sport Information Service (SID) and made it clear: "We want to set an example for peace and give the handball players the opportunity to continue practicing their profession. «
At the same time, they want to protect the team, which is only a few kilometers from the front line, “from Russian missiles.
Zaporizhia is under attack from the Russian army.
Here we can not only protect jobs, but also lives.«
The HBL plan envisages the Ukrainian top team taking part in the second division as the 20th team in the coming season – albeit outside of the sporting classification.
Düsseldorf provides accommodation for the team and their families.
Zaporizhschja, who wants to get the necessary match practice for the Champions League through the German league, will play their home games in the Castello in Düsseldorf, which can accommodate more than 3,000 spectators.
But the Ukrainian side has also criticized the hastily cobbled together plan.
Basically, there are two sides that you have to consider when it comes to the topic, said Sascha Gladun, a former Bundesliga professional and current Secretary General of the Ukrainian Handball Association.
Season in Germany starts at the beginning of September
In sporting, social and human terms, "it is of course a huge story that players and families are safe and the team is allowed to play in the strongest second division in the world," said Gladun.
But if you get the green light to resume the Ukrainian league, "then we'll start too.
And then the question is: What about Zaporizhia?”
Due to the Russian war of aggression, gaming operations in Ukraine are currently on hold – and Bohmann does not expect the facts to change any time soon.
“It seems impossible that a competition will be started in Ukraine next year,” said the league boss: “But it remains the case that it is a temporary solution.
We don't think any further.«
The season in the German lower house begins at the beginning of September.
After isolated guest performances and training stays by the motor players, who largely make up the Ukrainian national handball team, the "all-seasonal solidarity project" is now supported by the 19 clubs of the 2nd HBL, according to a press release.
Gladun, on the other hand, is "a bit surprised that we haven't had any written confirmations yet.
I haven't seen any document yet, not about the club's intention.
Not about any meetings.
And also no written evidence from the Handball Bundesliga.« Bohmann replies that there is a decision by the clubs in the 2nd league.
This could be “formalised again at our general meeting in the summer.
From our point of view, however, it is fixed.
In the 22/23 season, Zaporizhia will compete in the second Bundesliga.«
The detailed planning of the coming days and weeks shouldn't be that easy - on the contrary, believes Gladun: "It's really complicated."
ara/sid
