Drama in the 2nd Bundesliga: Application for 19 teams after a replay!

Drama in the 2nd Bundesliga: Application for 19 teams after a replay!

The season of the 2nd Handball Bundesliga has come to an end with dramatic twists and turns. On June 7, 2025, Dessau-Roßlauer HV (DRHV) played its last regular game against Bergischer HC, which was lost 28:34. Nevertheless, there was no reason to be sad after the end of the game: the team celebrated in large groups with the fans and said goodbye to deserving staff. Another highlight was to follow - a controversial replay against TUSEM Essen, which fell during the summer break and could set the course for the coming season Swabian reported.

The reason for the replay was a protest by TUSEM Essen. After Dessau's explosive 28:27 win against Essen on April 27th, it was determined that Dessau had one player too many on the field. This forced the league to reschedule the game. At the end of the replay, which took place in front of 1,926 spectators in the “Am Hallo” sports hall, the DRHV prevailed 30:24 and thus secured tenth place in the final table - and thus participation in the DHB Cup, according to information from DRHV06.

Competitiveness and expansion of the league

The late staging of the replay has far-reaching consequences for ASV Hamm-Westfalen and the DRHV. Both clubs plan to submit a proposal at the upcoming general meeting to increase the league to 19 teams. ASV managing director Markus Fuchs expressed concern about his club's inability to act due to the late decision and warned of possible financial losses that could arise from relegation to the third division. He called for quick action to limit the economic damage, as a 19-team league could entail additional expenses for all second division competitors, like the one Swabian further reported.

HBL managing director Frank Bohmann, however, pointed out that an increase to 19 teams would contradict the league's existing rules, which establish an 18-team league. This fuels disputes within the league and causes unrest, which was also criticized by other officials such as Axel Kromer from HBW and Bob Hanning, sports director of the first division club Potsdam.

A look into the future

Since the well-known unrest in the 2nd Bundesliga continues after the season, the question is how the league's participants will line up in the future. The topic of an increase will be on the agenda at the upcoming league meeting, although an application from ASV and DRHV will require a three-quarters majority from the 36 clubs in the first and second leagues to be successful. The fans are hoping for a clear decision that not only affects next season, but also ensures the future competitiveness of the league.

Marcels Nowak's outstanding performance, a real midfield engine for the DRHV, shows that the team has a successful future after the turbulent season. With a solid squad and the right support from the fan community, the path back to the top places in the league will hopefully soon be paved. But it looks like what's happening in the stands remains exciting, and the next chapter in the history of handball is just waiting to be written, as reported Kicker.