Rhein-Neckar Löwen: New Swede brings a breath of fresh air to the team!

Rhein-Neckar Löwen: New Swede brings a breath of fresh air to the team!

Next Sunday there will be an exciting duel in the Handball Bundesliga: The Zebras from Kiel will host the Rhein-Neckar Lions in a game that has the potential to really shake up the league. The Lions go into this game after suffering impressive losses in the current season. Among other things, the Baden team had to let their defense chief Olle Forsell Schefvert move to Melsungen. They also lost two key players, Mikael Appelgren and Ivan Martinovic, who have now moved to Veszprem. Jon Lindenchrone has also left for Skjern in Denmark, while Gustav Davidsson and Arnor Snaer Oskarsson are looking for new challenges in Sweden and Norway.

In addition, the linchpin Juri Knorr, who is moving to Aalborg, was also affected. These departures present coach Maik Machulla with the challenge of putting together a new, powerful team. His goal is to use the remaining German national players such as Patrick Groetzki, David Späth, Sebastian Heymann and Jannik Kohlbacher to strengthen the team with their skills and make it more unpredictable. Interestingly, Machulla emphasizes that in modern handball the role of the classic playmaker is increasingly disappearing - a circumstance that strongly influences his squad planning.

New faces and fresh impulses

However, a fresh wind is also blowing at the Rhein-Neckar Lions. New to the team is 28-year-old Swede Lukas Sandell, who comes from Veszprém. With a remarkable resume that includes successes such as the 2024 national double and winning the Super Globe, Sandell gives a clear indication that he wants to support the Lions with goal threat and international experience. His career has already taken him through some top European clubs and made him known for his speed and explosiveness.

Sports director Uwe Gensheimer highlights Sandell's versatility in attack, while coach Machulla praises his decisions and mentality. Sandell has played over 60 international matches for Sweden and was able to celebrate successes such as European Championship gold in 2022 and World Cup silver in 2021. He is convinced of the Lions' game idea, which fits his style well. The goal is clear: to provide new impetus for the coming season and revitalize the squad.

The situation in the league

The changes at the Rhein-Neckar Löwen are not the only ones that have shaped the league this summer. According to current information, there are numerous entries and exits in the handball Bundesliga, although winter transfers are not even taken into account. Clubs like Bergischer HC and GWD Minden have also shaken up their play kitchen to reposition themselves in terms of sport. Some talented players were signed while others left the club.

Last but not least, the coming games will show how the teams deal with their new structures and players. In any case, the lions are facing an exciting challenge that will begin in Kiel. The audience can look forward to seeing how the team will perform under Machulla's guidance and whether the new faces can actually bring a breath of fresh air.

For detailed information about the upcoming games and further player changes, handball fans can visit the respective websites THW handball, Rhine-Neckar Lions and Handball World visit.