Change of coach at HC Empor Rostock: Andersson has to go!

Change of coach at HC Empor Rostock: Andersson has to go!

On June 17, 2025, the coaching question at HC Empor Rostock is hot as Nicolaj Andersson is no longer on board. The club has ended its collaboration with the coach, who only took over the reins in March 2023, after the hoped-for promotion to the second handball Bundesliga could not be achieved. Sports director André Wilk thanked Andersson for his work over the last two years and announced that they are now looking for a new coach who can both further develop the team and introduce young talent to the men's area. It is not yet known who will take over as coach. Wilk is hoping for a coach who will bring a breath of fresh air into the team and improve performance. NDR reports that the decision was made on Tuesday, June 16th.

Andersson took up the coaching position during a turbulent time. He succeeded Tristan Staat, who managed the club's fortunes after Till Wiechers took leave of absence in October 2022. In an exciting turn of events, the state will take over management of the club from July and plans to sustainably strengthen the promotion of young talent. The club is on the verge of a new beginning and the course is now being set anew.

Current developments and fanatical games

Before this coaching change, HC Empor Rostock was recently able to present itself euphorically. On October 2nd, the team achieved a thrilling 42:40 win after overtime against HSG Nordhorn-Lingen. The final score after regular time was 33:33 before the Rostock team used the system with the seventh field player in extra time and finally defeated the HSG. Marc Pechstein and Alexander Schütze particularly stood out with five goals each, with Schütze celebrating his season debut after an injury break. HCE With this victory, the team qualified for the round of 16 of the cup competition, which will take place on November 13th and 14th. The draw for the last 16 will take place on October 3rd after the HSV Hamburg vs THW Kiel game.

The atmosphere in the Fiete Reder Hall was remarkable that day, with 746 enthusiastic spectators loudly supporting their team. In the meantime, HSG Nordhorn-Lingen even led with highs such as 11:8 and 32:30. But the people of Rostock didn't let themselves be defeated and fought back - and with success!

A look across the league

In other federal leagues, however, there are less encouraging developments. HC Erlangen, a club that is also struggling, has changed coaching positions. Martin Schwalb recently took over the helm from Johannes Sellin, who had been head coach for almost a year. Erlangen is currently in last place in the league, with no points and a clear need for improvement. Handball World reports a tense situation exacerbated by several injuries to key players.

Handball in Germany remains exciting and dynamic, be it at HC Empor Rostock, which is on the right track despite the coaching changes, or at HC Erlangen, where new momentum is to be brought into the team. The next few months promise to be exciting, not just for the fans, but also for the players who will give it their all on the floor.