Zebras in the endurance test: THW Kiel starts brutal program with 6 games!

Zebras in the endurance test: THW Kiel starts brutal program with 6 games!

The THW Kiel, also known as the Zebras, treated themselves to a weekend without games after intensive weeks in which the team was challenged every three days. But the enjoyment of the days off is quickly over. As of now, six games are scheduled for the next 16 days. The first opponent in this exciting phase is TVB Stuttgart, followed by other exciting encounters.

In the coming weeks, THW will have to step on the gas! The squad has to prepare for travel through Germany, covering around 2,200 kilometers on the bus. Coach Filip Jicha describes the program as “brutal” and emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus for each individual game. Upcoming games include an away game against Lemgo on December 14th and the cup quarter-final in Berlin on December 18th, which will further increase the excitement.

Play in detail

Here is an overview of the Zebras' upcoming games in the next two weeks:

• TVB Stuttgart (Heimspiel) – Datum: 8. Dezember
• Lemgo (Auswärts) – Datum: 14. Dezember
• Pokal-Viertelfinale in Berlin – Datum: 18. Dezember
• Hannover (Heimspiel) – Datum: 20. Dezember
• Magdeburg (Auswärts) – Datum: 23. Dezember
• HC Erlangen (Heimspiel) – Datum: 26. Dezember

But it's not just the sporting competition that challenges the athletes. Mental health also plays a crucial role in competitive sports. More and more athletes and coaches are realizing that mental health has a direct impact on athletic performance. According to a recent analysis, many athletes identify strongly with their sport, which significantly influences their identity. In the event of long-term injuries or failures, this can lead to a serious loss of identity.

Mental health in sport

Addressing athletes' mental health has become increasingly important in recent years. Unfortunately, there are still many outdated assumptions among doctors and coaches, and the field of sports psychology is far from being a standard in athlete care. Studies show that between 13 and 20 percent of competitive athletes will experience depression during their lifetime, a problem that has been further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 18 percent of athletes received professional support at the time, showing the importance of mental health education.

These challenges make it clear that athletes need not only physical but also psychological strength to be successful in competition. The connection between physical fitness and mental health is crucial for the performance and well-being of athletes. The THW Kiel and other clubs are required to take preventive action at this point in order to provide their players with the best possible support.

How the Zebras will take it to the field remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the next time will be exciting and the fans can look forward to a thrilling handball season. The team has to give everything to stay strong on a mental level and overcome the challenges.