SG Flensburg - Handewitt: Title dreams and a match in Copenhagen

Alexander Petersson, Lars Christiansen, Marcin Lijewski and Johnny Jensen are immersed in the shadows. The expression on their faces are determined, their arms crossed in front of them - as if to say, "no one can get us!" These impressive background pictures created the scene for the presentation of SG Flensburg-Handewitt's objectives for the coming season, which - as usual - include hopes of a title. "We have a very strong team again", declared Coach Kent Harry Andersson. "We can attack at the top once again and go far in the Champions League."

The "northern lights" have around 5 million euro to help realise these ambitions - less than their rivals from Kiel (6.5) and Hamburg (5.3). "We don’t have a hall for 10 000 spectators or a generous patron, or a manifold of companies nearby", said President Frerich Eilts. "For us marketing and business are extremely important." This is the reason why SG have built-up a double management duo, managing director Fynn Holpert ("who should create new interest in the club") and the sport director Anders Dahl-Nielsen ("who will work close to the team"). This duo has created a special project in desperate times: when the Campushalle (6 000 season tickets) is booked for 6 days for an exhibition, the "northern lights" want to move them home match against Gummersbach to Copenhagen (Bröndyhall, 6 500 spectatators) to do some important promotional work. "Denmark has a booming economy with many companies, which need the German market", says Fynn Holpert. "And SG Flennsburg-Handewitt is a top product from Germany."

At the beginning of the season, Flensburg have to make do without three of their best players. Sören Stryger (damaged cartilage and whose return is being questioned), Blazenko Lackovic (knee) and Frank von Behren (broken hand). The Croatian has returned after being examined by a specialist. "In four weeks, he'll be back on court", thinks team doctor Dr. Hauke Mommsen. "But lets not forget that this is the third knee operation for Blazenko Lackovic ." Frank Von Behren will probably make a comeback by the end of September. Captain Ljubomir Vranjes has high expectations for the new season. "As captain I have to push the team if we want to win the title."