On Saturday the playoffs for the 2nd Bundesliga start for the handball players of HCD Gröbenzell in Frankfurt/Oder - the start of an ox tour.
Gröbenzell – The regular season in the 3rd women's handball league is over.
Rostocker HC, SG 09 Kirchhof, HSG Freiburg, Frankfurter HC and HCD Gröbenzell are the five teams that have decided to participate in the promotion round to the 2nd Bundesliga.
In its 50-year club history, the HCD is making an attempt at the second-highest German handball league for the third time.
The Gröbenzellers have had a sniff of second division air twice so far, in the 1989 and 2017 seasons. After each season, however, they had to go back down to the third division.
That's why at HCD you know what you're getting yourself into.
Should the team manage to get promoted, the HCD will also be at the lower end of the budget list this time.
Nevertheless, the HCD goes into the qualifying round with great enthusiasm and joy.
"We don't have to hide," says assistant coach Harald Fischer.
You only know the strengths of your opponents from videos.
For the team, however, the promotion round does not represent a pressure situation. "If we can take advantage of the opportunity, that's cool," says Fischer.
"If not, the world won't end for us either." Unlike perhaps with competitors like Rostock or Kirchhof.
"It would probably be a moderate catastrophe for them," says Fischer.
The HCD travels to the away games a day earlier
The three promoted players in the 2nd Bundesliga will be played in a single round in the mode of everyone against everyone.
It starts for the champions of the southern season, HCD Gröbenzell, on Saturday, April 15 (throw-off at 4 p.m.).
The team coached by Stefan Weidinger has to compete in Frankfurt/Oder.
Due to the early start-up time, the Gröbenzellers will arrive one day before.
A week later they have no play.
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On April 29th, the HCD continues with the second away game at Rostocker HC.
The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Nevertheless, the HCD will also arrive here one day before.
This is followed by two home games against SG 09 Kirchhof and HSG Freiburg.
The games in the Paul-Barth-Halle are scheduled for May 6 and May 13 (start at 7:30 p.m.).
HCD trainer Stefan Weidinger counts on the fans having an advantage for the opponents
After the announcement of the classification, coach Weidinger spoke of a worst-case scenario for HCD.
“Two long away games where you are forced to arrive a day before and also most likely without your own fans.
On the other hand, because of the distance, our home game opponents will certainly come to us with strong support from their supporters,” Weidinger fears.
Kirchhof is a district of Melsungen and is about 470 kilometers away from Gröbenzell, Freiburg just under 400 kilometers.
The route to Frankfurt/Oder, on the other hand, is a good 660 kilometers and to Rostock it is almost 800 kilometers.
"With the opportunities available to us, we only have outsider chances," says HCD coach Stefan Weidinger, assessing the situation for his team, primarily alluding to HCD's financial possibilities.
For him, too, Rostock and Kirchhof are easy favorites for promotion.
"Some of the clubs have professionals in their ranks." But after the HCD already waived the promotion round last season, they want to try it this year.
"We have shown for two years that we are among the best in the 3rd division and that we can keep up," said Weidinger.
"We're in the mood for the games and we'll see what comes out of it in the end."
Live broadcast: For most HCD Gröbenzell fans, the trip to Frankfurt/Oder might be too far.
You can still follow the Gröbis game - online in the live stream.
(Dieter Metzler)