Handball: Date dispute: EHF rejects Löwen proposal

The European Handball Federation (EHF) has approved a proposal by the Rhine-Neckar Löwen for the relocation of the Champions League match against KS Kielce from 24. on the 25th. March refused. This is the result of an official announcement by the continental umbrella organisation on Friday. A solution to the dispute over the date of the first round of the German champions’ first round of the last sixteen is thus ruled out.

The EHF justified its decision by considering the “health of the players” in view of two matches on two consecutive days. As late as November, there had been “fierce criticism of the EHF” on the part of the lion club leaders for such an approach. At that time, the champion had to play two games within 25 hours because of bad agreements between HBL and EHF.

After the Bundesliga table leader had now rejected an exchange of the home right offered by the EHF, the Löwen proposal was seen as the last chance to solve the date problem. The Baden team will now be in Kielce, as announced, with their second team from the 3rd division. league. The pros will compete at the same time as the Bundesliga top game at THW Kiel.

The game in Kiel has top priority for the lions and the league (HBL). This will be broadcast live on ARD and promises a high TV quota due to the lack of competition from the German Soccer Bundesliga. However, the HBL’s decision was made without regard to the Champions League.