The big showdown: Tusem Essen welcomes the leader BHC!

The big showdown: Tusem Essen welcomes the leader BHC!

On February 8, 2025, the Derby of the 2nd Handball Bundesliga of Tusem Essen and the Bergisches HC (BHC) face each other. This exciting meeting takes place in the sold -out arena on the hello. The Tusem has prepared intensively for the start of the second half of the season and won two test games against the teams from Hamm and Emsdetten. Head coach Daniel Haase is satisfied with the development and returning of injured players. The TUSEM is currently on the 12th place in the table with 16:18 points and was able to achieve a perfect home record of 16: 0 points, while the away balance sheet is very bad - 0:18 points and last place in this category. Over 3,000 spectators are expected to support the home team.

The BHC goes into the duel as the league leader and has clear ambitions: the return to the upper house at the end of the season is the declared goal. Arnor Gunnarsson, coach of the BHC, emphasizes the motivation to break the opponent's strong record. "It is our first competitive game of the year and we want to start with a win," said Gunnarsson. In the last home game, the BHC had to insert a narrow 30:31 defeat, which melted the lead at the top of the table on a point together. GWD Minden, HBW Balingen and TV Hüttenberg are on the heels and could theoretically pass.

preparations for high tours

The preparation of the BHC for the duel was intense, especially the work on the defense has enjoyed high priority in the past few weeks. The team would like to show an increase compared to the last four appearances in the previous year. The Esseners also had a excellent manner against strong opponents, including HC Elbflorenz and HBW Balingen-Weilstetten. Tusem top player like Nils Homscheid and Dennis Szczesny and goalkeeper Felix Göttler will find special attention.

The BHC shows itself well -filled before this decisive game. Some key players have returned from the World Cup, including Tomas Babak and Belal Massoud, while Robin Granlund is fit. However, the use of Noah Beyer, who fights with knee problems, must be decided at short notice. Another player in the deficiency is Christopher Rudeck, whose hand injury, however, is gratifyingly improved. BHC also has a former Tusem player with Lukas Diedrich, which gives the duel additional explosiveness.

Chef Coach Haase is optimistic and emphasized that the success must be removed regardless of the opponent and jersey color. The tension before the derby is noticeable and the fans can look forward to a gripping game in which both teams will give everything.

In this intensive derby it will be shown whether the Bergische HC can break the unbeaten home series of Tusem or whether the Esseners will continue their impressive performance at home. The question remains: who is the winner?