Wikipedia

Neckarsulmer SU (women's handball)

Sport-Union Neckarsulm is the women's handball team of the sports club Sport-Union Neckarsulm, from the town of Neckarsulm in the southwest of Germany. The team competes domestically in the Handball-Bundesliga and the DHB-Pokal. They play their home matches at the Ballei-Sporthalle and usually wear dark navy shirts and shorts.

Sport-Union Neckarsulm
Full nameSport-Union Neckarsulm e.V.
Short nameSUN, Sport-Union
Founded1 January 2009; 15 years ago (1 January 2009)
ArenaBallei-Sporthalle
Capacity1,500
PresidentRolf Härdtner
Head coachThomas Zeitz
LeagueHandball Bundesliga Frauen
2023-2410th
Club colours   
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Home
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Away
Website
Official site
Location of Sport-Union Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm
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Location of Sport-Union Neckarsulm

History

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Early years

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Sport-Union Neckarsulm was founded on New Year's Day in 2009 as Neckarsulmer Sport-Union (NSU) through the merger of Sportvereinigung Neckarsulm 1946 and Sportfreunde Neckarsulm. The name alludes to the NSU Motorenwerke, the predecessor of Audi, which was located in the city of Neckarsulm until 1985. The multi sports club consists of 17 different sections of which the women’s handball section is one of the best known because of their multi-year participation in the Bundesliga, Germany‘s most important handball league.

Climbing up the league pyramid

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After two championship titles in regional fifth and fouth tier leagues, coach Emir Hadzimuhamedović led the team also to promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in the summer of 2013. In the following years, the team established itself there and gained promotion to the Bundesliga as second division champions in 2016.

A big part in the various promotions from regional amateur levels to professional tiers played the successful under-17 team, which won the German championship in 2011. Talented players of this youth team formed an integral part of the first team in later years.[1]

New name and establishment in the Bundesliga

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After promotion to the Bundesliga Neckarsulmer Sport-Union was fighting against relegation for their first three years in Germany’s top tier but eventually managed to stay in the league. With coaches Pascal Morgant and Tanja Logvin at the helm, the team established itself in the following years as a solid force in the Bundesliga with a sixth place finish in the 2020-21 season, the best result to date.

In 2021 Neckarsulmer Sport-Union was forced to change its name and crest due to unwanted associations with the right-wing extremist organization National Socialist Underground, although the abbreviation NSU has a long regional tradition in and around the city of Neckarsulm.[2] Now playing as Sport-Union Neckarsulm the club produced players like Selina Kalmbach or Sarah Wachter who went on to become internationals for Germany.

Season to season

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Season Tier Division Position Points DHB-Pokal
2009–10 V Württembergliga (Nord) 9th/12 19:25
2010–11 V Württembergliga (Nord) 1st/12 44:0
2011–12 IV BW-Oberliga 1st/14 50:2 Round of 32
2012–13 III 3. Liga (Süd) 1st/14 48:4
2013–14 II 2. Bundesliga 7th/14 27:29 Round of 16
2014–15 II 2. Bundesliga 4th/14 34:18 First round
2015–16 II 2. Bundesliga 1st/16 53:7 Quarterfinals
2016–17 I Bundesliga 12th/14 13:39 Round of 16
2017–18 I Bundesliga 13th/14 10:42 Round of 32
2018–19 I Bundesliga 12th/14 13:39 Quarterfinals
2019–20 I Bundesliga 9th/14 12:24 Quarterfinals
2020–21 I Bundesliga 6th/16 37:23 Round of 16
2021–22 I Bundesliga 7th/14 26:26 Round of 16
2022–23 I Bundesliga 12th/14 15:37 Round of 16
2023–24 I Bundesliga 10th/14 14:38 Round of 16
2024–25 I Bundesliga Round of 16

Arena

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Sport-Union Neckarsulm play their home matches at the Ballei-Sporthalle, a multi-purpose arena which hosts up to 1,500 spectators (standing and seated). The arena complex also includes a hall for cultural events for up to 1,000 people as well as a restaurant and a bowling alley.[3] The men’s handball team of the club plays selected matches at the Ballei as well. The arena is among the most visited in the Bundesliga.[4]

  • Name: Ballei-Sporthalle
  • Location: Neckarsulm, Germany
  • Capacity: 1,500 spectators[5]
  • Address: Deutschordensplatz 1, 74172 Neckarsulm

The club's most prominent supporters' group is Blaue Wand ("Blue wall"), which is located in sector B of Ballei's Foyer-Tribüne. The Blaue Wand arranges away day travels as well as meet-and-greets with players and staff and is also heavily involved in the organisation of home matches.[6]

Bundesliga attendances at Ballei-Sporthalle
Season Overall Average Rank Notes
2016–17 14,305 1,100 4th/14 [7]
2017–18 13,541 1,041 7th/14 [8]
2018–19 13,550 1,042 6th/14
2019–20 7,511 938 9th/14[9] [10]
2020–21 1,217 304 5th/16[11] [12]
2021–22 9,378 721 1st/14[13] [14]
2022–23 11,878 914 5th/14 [15]
2023–24 12,865 990 5th/14 [16]
2024–25

Team

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Current squad

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Squad for the 2024-25 season.[17]
No. Position Player Nationality Date of birth (age) Height Year signed Signed from End of contract
Goalkeepers
12 GK Johanna Fossum   (2003-01-25) 25 January 2003 (age 21) 1,75m 2024   Sola HK 2026
29 GK Lena Ivančok   (2001-03-29) 29 March 2001 (age 23) 1,84m 2023   RK Lokomotiva Zagreb 2025
66 GK Aleksandra Orowicz   (1996-09-07) 7 September 1996 (age 28) 1,76m 2024   SG 09 Kirchhof 2026
Wingers
8 RW Vasiliki Gkatziou   (1997-10-08) 8 October 1997 (age 27) 1,68m 2023   BM Remudas 2025
19 RW Iva van der Linden   (1998-04-19) 19 April 1998 (age 26) 1,78m 2024   Boden Handboll IF 2026
21 LW Alessia Riner   (2004-01-08) 8 January 2004 (age 20) 1,70m 2023   LK Zug 2025
55 LW Rabea Pollakowski   (1998-02-26) 26 February 1998 (age 26) 1,62m 2023   VfL Waiblingen 2025
Line players
5 P Kim Hinkelmann   (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 23) 1,83m 2023   Holstebro Håndbold 2025
92 P Stefanie Kaiser   (1992-10-31) 31 October 1992 (age 32) 1,81m 2024   HSG Blomberg-Lippe 2026
Backcourt players
7 LB Angunn Gudmestad   (2001-05-08) 8 May 2001 (age 23) 1,67m 2024   Aker Topphåndball 2026
10 CB Sinah Hagen   (1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 (age 28) 1,68m 2024   Buxtehuder SV 2026
11 CB Annefleur Bruggeman   (1997-07-23) 23 July 1997 (age 27) 1,81m 2022   Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2026
17 CB Lynn Holtman   (2004-07-07) 7 July 2004 (age 20) 1,75m 2024   Westfriesland SEW 2026
23 LB Munia Smits   (1999-12-23) 23 December 1999 (age 24) 1,78m 2022   HSG Bad Wildungen 2026
58 RB Lilli Holste   (2001-04-25) 25 April 2001 (age 23) 1,79m 2024   HSG Bensheim/Auerbach 2026
97 LB Veronika Andrýsková   (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 27) 1,92m 2023   DHK Baník Most 2025

Transfers

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Transfers for the 2024-25 season.[18]

Technical staff

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Technical staff for the 2024-25 season.[19]

Personnel

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Notable former players

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Appearances and Goalscorers

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Competitive matches and goals in the Bundesliga only. As of 1 June 2024.[20] [21] [22]

Most appearances
Rank Player Years Games
1   Selina Kalmbach 2016–2022 134
2   Sarah Wachter 2019–2023 97
3   Irene Espínola Pérez 2018–2022 95
4   Seline Ineichen 2016–2020 91
5   Nele Reimer 2017–2020
2021–2022		 82
6   Sharon Nooitmeer 2021–2024 75
7   Lynn Knippenborg 2019–2022 72
8   Nathalie Hendrikse 2019–2022 72
9   Jill Kooij 2019–2022 72
10   Lucie-Marie Kretzschmar 2019–2022 72
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Years Games Goals Ratio
1   Irene Espínola Pérez 2018–2022 95 420 4.42
2   Nele Reimer 2017–2020
2021–2022		 82 361 4.40
3   Lynn Knippenborg 2019–2022 72 324 4.50
4   Nathalie Hendrikse 2019–2022 72 280 3.89
5   Nina Engel 2022–2024 50 263 5.26
6   Seline Ineichen 2016–2020 91 206 2.26
7   Selina Kalmbach 2016–2022 134 205 1.53
8   Lena Hoffmann 2016–2019 52 191 3.67
9   Jill Kooij 2019–2022 72 183 2.54
10   Maike Daniels 2016–2018 48 177 3.69

Former coaches

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Competitive matches in the Bundesliga only. As of 1 June 2024.

Coach Nat. From To G W D L Win%[A] PPG Honours Notes
Stefan Arnold   07/2009 06/2010 — − − − — -
Emir Hadžimuhamedović   07/2010 02/2018 38 9 2 27 023.68 0.53 1 2. Bundesliga
1 3. Liga
1 BW-Oberliga
1 Württembergliga
Annamária Ilyés (Caretaker)   02/2018 03/2018 7 0 0 7 000.00 0.00
Tanja Logvin   04/2018 06/2018 7 1 1 5 014.29 0.43
Pascal Morgant   07/2018 01/2020 37 9 1 27 024.32 0.51
Maike Daniels (Caretaker)   01/2020 06/2020 7 3 0 4 042.86 0.86
Tanja Logvin   07/2020 01/2023 67 32 3 32 047.76 1.00
Mart Aalderink (Caretaker)   01/2023 06/2023 14 5 1 8 035.71 0.79
Thomas Zeitz   07/2023 Present 26 7 0 19 026.92 0.54 [23]

A. ^ Win percentage is rounded to two decimal places.

Honours

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  • 2. Bundesliga
    • Champions (1): 2016
  • 3. Liga (Süd)
    • Champions (1): 2013
  • Baden-Württemberg Oberliga
    • Champions (1): 2012
  • Württembergliga
    • Champions (2): 2011, 2024 (Second team)

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Main shirt sponsor Notes
2009/10 – 2010/11   H2O Autohaus Weilbacher
2011/12 – 2012/13   Hummel TDS Informationstechnologie AG
2013/2014   ProTouch
2014/2015 Fujitsu
2015/2016 Bäckerei Härdtner [24]
2016/17 – 2020/21   Erima Kaufland/Lidl [25]
2021/22 – 2023/24   Joma [26]
2024/25 –   Erima [27]


References

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  1. ^ "Als die Neckarsulmer B-Juniorinnen die deutsche Meisterschaft feierten". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Jetzt ist klar: Neckarsulmer Sport-Union benennt sich um". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Ballei und Festhallen". City of Neckarsulm. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Alle Statistiken: Zuschauer". Handball Bundesliga Frauen. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Diesmal steht das Gerüst bei der Sport-Union Neckarsulm". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Blaue Wand". Fanblock Blaue Wand. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  7. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 6 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2016–17. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  8. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 14 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2017–18. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  9. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, several matches were played behind closed doors.
  10. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 11 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2019–20. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  11. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, the majority of matches were played behind closed doors.
  12. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 17 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2020–21. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  13. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, some matches were played behind closed doors.
  14. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2021–22. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  15. ^ » Zuschauer (in German) Handball Bundesliga Frauen, Spectator figures 2022–23. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  16. ^ » Zuschauer (in German) Handball Bundesliga Frauen, Spectator figures 2023–24. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  17. ^ "2024/25 squad". Handball Bundesliga Frauen. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Sport-Union trennt sich von Rückraum-Spielerinnen – Gkatziou bleibt ligaunabhängig". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Maurice Meister und Matze Treiber sind bei der Sport-Union die Vorarbeiter des Erfolgs" (published 3 August 2024). 20 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Sport-Union Neckarsulm". Handball Bundesliga Frauen. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  21. ^ "1. Bundesliga » Statistiken". Handball.net. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  22. ^ "1. Handball Bundesliga Frauen". handball-world. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  23. ^ Buchmann, Nils (February 8, 2023). "Neckarsulmer Neustart mit Thomas Zeitz". Heilbronner Stimme. p. 17.
  24. ^ "Maike Daniels verlässt die Neckarsulmer Sport-Union". June 2021.
  25. ^ "Aufsteiger Neckarsulm präsentiert neuen Ausrüster". June 2016.
  26. ^ "Joma wird neuer Ausrüster der Sport-Union Neckarsulm". July 2021.
  27. ^ "Sport-Union möchte bei Fans und Vorstand für einen niedrigeren Blutdruck sorgen". August 2024.
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