VfL Potsdam Teeters on the Brink of Relegation in the Handball-Bundesliga
Potsdam, Germany – The Handball-Bundesliga’s Cinderella story from last season, VfL Potsdam, is facing an imminent return to the second division after suffering their 17th consecutive defeat in the current campaign. On Sunday, the team from Brandenburg fell 21:22 (11:13) to TBV Lemgo Lippe, cementing their status as the league’s sole winless outfit.
Potsdam’s remarkable ascent from the 2. Bundesliga last year has come to a screeching halt as they have struggled to adapt to the rigors of the top flight. Their offensive output has been anemic, averaging just 22.7 goals per game, while their defense has been equally porous, conceding 30.4 goals per contest.
The lack of points has left Potsdam rooted firmly at the bottom of the standings, 13 points adrift of 17th-placed HSG Nordhorn-Lingen. With only 11 games remaining in the regular season, the situation appears dire for the team coached by Emir Kurtagic.
However, there is still a glimmer of hope for Potsdam. Their fate will largely hinge on the outcome of their upcoming fixtures against fellow relegation candidates HC Erlangen and SG BBM Bietigheim in late March.
A Season of Struggle
Despite their lofty ambitions, Potsdam’s season has been plagued by adversity from the outset. A preseason injury crisis depleted their roster, forcing them to rely heavily on inexperienced players.
On the court, they have been unable to sustain their momentum for any significant period. Their longest unbeaten streak in the league is a mere two games, and they have yet to consecutive matches.
Decisive Clashes Ahead
With the end of the season rapidly approaching, the importance of Potsdam’s upcoming clashes against Erlangen and Bietigheim cannot be overstated. Both teams are currently languishing in the relegation zone, with Erlangen holding a slender two-point advantage over Potsdam.
A victory in either of those matches would provide Potsdam with a much-needed lifeline. Conversely, a pair of defeats could effectively seal their fate and send them back to the 2nd Bundesliga.
Kurtagic Remains Optimistic
Despite the daunting task ahead, Kurtagic has not lost faith in his team. He believes that they can still pull off a remarkable escape act.
"We know that it will be an uphill battle," Kurtagic said. "But we have shown in the past that we can compete with the best teams in the league. We need to believe in ourselves and fight until the very end."
Conclusion
VfL Potsdam’s hopes of remaining in the Handball-Bundesliga are hanging by a thread. But with key clashes against their relegation rivals on the horizon, the team is determined to defy the odds. Whether they can overcome their struggles and achieve their goal remains to be seen, but their spirit and determination will undoubtedly be put to the test in the coming weeks.
