Rostock enthusiastic: Michael Jacobsen will be the new handball head coach!

Rostock enthusiastic: Michael Jacobsen will be the new handball head coach!

A fresh wind blows at HC Empor Rostock: The club has now signed Michael Jacobsen as the new head coach. The Dane succeeds Nicolaj Andersson, from which the club separates after the missed promotion to the 2nd handball Bundesliga. "I see a lot of potential in HC Empor Rostock," said Jacobsen, who was born in Copenhagen and grew up in Kokkedal. In particular, the tradition of the association, the loyal fans and the strong youth work have convinced him to accept this challenge. Each word of Jacobsen shows its anticipation and determination to lead HC up to the upper leagues of German handball and emphasize that there are many opportunities to actively contribute to the development of the association.

The new trainer brings a remarkable career. Previously, Jacobsen, as the sporting director of the youth academy of SG Flensburg-Handewitt, worked and led the A-youth to championship success twice. In 2022 he moved to the Rhein-Neckar Löwen as an assistant coach, where he won the trophy a year later. Now he has announced his farewell to the lions in the summer of 2025 to take over the coaching role in Rostock. In addition to the head coaching post, Jacobsen will also be responsible for the youth coordination in the club - a task that comes to him, since he has a lot of experience in working with young talents.

Start in the preparation

For the Rostock handball players, the start of training is already on July 21st. Jacobsen and his team will then work on the tactical subtleties and prepare for the new season. The first competitive game follows directly on August 15 in the cup against Eintracht Hagen. This encounter offers a first opportunity to show the new playing style under Jacobsen's direction.

But the current events are not limited to the coaching. In an exciting cup game against HSG Nordhorn-Lingen, HC Empor Rostock celebrated a dramatic 42:40 victory after extra time after the game went into regular time with 33:33. This performance catapults the Rostockers into the round of 16 of the cup competition, where they can prove themselves again on November 13th and 14th. The draw of the round of the last 16 will take place on October 3, after the game HSV Hamburg against THW Kiel.

A total of 746 spectators were present in the Fiete-Reder-Halle. Substitute Marc Pechstein demonstrated nerve strength and achieved the equalizer with the final siren to 33:33. Both teams showed fighting spirit: Nordhorn-Lingen even led 11: 8 and 32:30, but HC standing up. For example, players like Alexander Schütze, who returned after an injury break, were able to set decisive accents. The coach Nicolaj Andersson praised the mentality and combative attitude of his players before using the system with the seventh field player in the last few minutes.

It remains exciting how the new trainer will get involved in the HC Empor performance center. It is certain that Michael Jacobsen will have a good hand with his horizon of experience and commitment to bring the club forward in the coming season.

For more information and details about the team and on current games, visit Ostsee-Zeitung and hc) Empor.