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Sport-Union Neckarsulm
Sport-Union Neckarsulm
Full name	Sport-Union Neckarsulm e.V.
Short name	SUN, Sport-Union
Founded	1 January 2009; 15 years ago
Arena	Ballei-Sporthalle
Capacity	1,500
President	Rolf Härdtner
Head coach	Thomas Zeitz
League	Handball Bundesliga Frauen
2023-24	10th
Club colours
Home	Away
	Website ; Official site

Neckarsulm

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Location of Sport-Union Neckarsulm

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.

History

Early years

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

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

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

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

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

Current squad

Squad for the 2024-25 season.^[17]

No.	Position	Player	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

Transfers for the 2024-25 season.^[18]

Joining

Johanna Fossum (GK), from Sola HK
Angunn Gudmestad (LB), from Aker Topphåndball
Sinah Hagen (CB), from Buxtehuder SV
Lilli Holste (RB), from HSG Bensheim/Auerbach
Lynn Holtman (CB), from Westfriesland SEW
Stefanie Kaiser (P), from HSG Blomberg-Lippe
Aleksandra Orowicz (GK), from SG 09 Kirchhof
Iva van der Linden (RW), from Boden Handboll IF

Leaving

Nina Engel (RB), to HSG Bensheim/Auerbach
Arwen Gorb (LB), to BSV Sachsen Zwickau
Marloes Hoitzing (RB), to BSV Sachsen Zwickau
Sharon Nooitmeer (P), to Thüringer HC
Valentyna Salamakha (GK), retired
Amber Verbraeken (RW), to HSG Blomberg-Lippe
Agni Zygoura (CB), Unknown

Technical staff

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

Head coach: Thomas Zeitz
Assistant coach: Gernot Drossel
Goalkeeping coach: Branka Zec
Sporting director: Thomas Zeitz
Fitness coach: Maurice Meister
Fitness coach: Matze Treiber
Team coach: Mike Vogelgesang

Physiotherapist: Sergi García
Physiotherapist: Dominik Pfeifer
Physiotherapist: Nikolay Popovski
Team doctor: Dr. Boris Brand
Team doctor: Dr. Urs Riemann
Team coach: Jutta Perger

Personnel

Notable former players

Appearances and Goalscorers

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

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

Coach	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

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

HOME
2018-19

AWAY
2018-19

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	TDS Informationstechnologie AG
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

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

External links

[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.

[:0-25] "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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Neckarsulmer SU (women's handball)