Uncertainty pervades German handball players about their playing venues
HB Ludwigsburg, a dominant force in women's handball, finds itself in financial distress and facing insolvency, leading to its withdrawal from the 2025/26 Bundesliga season and European competitions. The team, previously known as SG BBM Bietigheim, filed for insolvency proceedings about two weeks ago due to a lack of sustainable financing for the upcoming season [1][4].
This announcement has caused uncertainty for the German national handball team, as HB Ludwigsburg is considered the backbone of the DHB team coached by Markus Gaugisch. Key players such as DHB captain Xenia Smits, Viola Leuchter, Jenny Behrend, Mareike Thomaier, and Lena Degenhardt are among those affected [1].
Smits, a 31-year-old captain, may have to find a new club due to this situation. She expressed feelings of helplessness, being at a loss, and emptiness about the situation. Smits and her teammates have won four consecutive championships (2022-2025), cups in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, and titles in the Supercup and European League [1].
The Women's Handball Bundesliga (HBF) has withdrawn HB Ludwigsburg from the 2025 Handball Super Cup, and Thüringer HC replaced them for the event scheduled in August 2025 [2]. Similarly, the European Handball Federation (EHF) disqualified HB Ludwigsburg from the 2025–26 Women's EHF Champions League after they failed to secure sufficient funds to participate, and Sola HK was selected to replace them [3].
The insolvency has provoked significant criticism within the league, with officials from other clubs calling it a "case of fraud and deception" and expressing concern for the image and stability of German women’s handball. The league anticipates more than 20 games may be lost this season, causing scheduling and organizational challenges for the Bundesliga [1].
Despite the challenges, Ludwigsburg hopes to continue operations, but under very different circumstances. The new squad for Ludwigsburg is expected to be more affordable, aiming to maintain a perspective for women's handball in Ludwigsburg. DHB captain Xenia Smits expressed concern about the future, stating that they need to gather themselves and not make any hasty decisions [1].
The start of the handball season is just three weeks away, which could make finding a new club challenging for affected players. Germany is set to co-host the World Cup for women's handball from 26 November to 14 December, and women's handball is expected to boom during this World Cup [1].
Sources:
[1] ntv.de
[2] tno/sid
[3] EHF
[4] DHB
- The financial distress and insolvency of HB Ludwigsburg, a dominant force in women's handball, has caused uncertainty for the German national handball team, as key players such as DHB captain Xenia Smits and others are affected.
- Due to the insolvency proceedings, DHB captain Xenia Smits, a 31-year-old player who has won four consecutive championships and titles in the Supercup and European League, may have to find a new club.
- The Women's Handball Bundesliga (HBF) and the European Handball Federation (EHF) have disqualified HB Ludwigsburg from the 2025 Handball Super Cup and the 2025–26 Women's EHF Champions League, respectively, due to a lack of sufficient funds to participate.
- Criticism and concern over the insolvency of HB Ludwigsburg have surfaced within the league, with officials expressing worries about image and stability of German women’s handball, and the potential for more than 20 games to be lost this season.
