Unit Demmin starts ambitiously into the Oberliga season 2024/25

Unit Demmin starts ambitiously into the Oberliga season 2024/25

The handball players of Unity Demmin look excitedly at the upcoming 2024/25 season, which begins on September 14th with an away game against the second team of Mecklenburger Stiers Schwerin. In this new season, the relegation in the Oberliga-Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is at the top of the agenda. Coach Hannes Lemcke is aware of the challenges: "After the years in the association league, the Oberliga is an enormous exam for our team. Every point has to be fought hard," he explains.

The first home games waiting a week later when the team meets SV Warnemünde II. In the season preparation, the team started training at the beginning of July. The good atmosphere within the team is particularly emphasized, which will play an important role in common success.

Newcomers and exits shape the squad

A significant change in the squad is the departure of Torgient Marc Hagemeier, which has switched to the SG Uni Greifswald/Loitz to the Regionalliga-Ostsee-Spree. In return, unit has committed some new faces. Under these new additions are Uli Gierke and goalkeeper Sven Rohleder, both of whom have valuable experiences from previous clubs. The 21-year-old Laurin Becker has gained extensive experience in the Oberliga-Ostsee-Spree in the past before completing the change due to his studies. He looks optimistically into the future: "My goal is to get a place in the trunk six and to create the relegation with the team."

Jan Kühle, who also comes from Fortuna Neubrandenburg, complements the team with its background from the club's young areas. "Due to the upheaval at Fortuna, I lost a lot of friends, which is why I was looking for a new challenge," says Kühle, who faces the challenges of the Oberliga. At 17, Jannis Borchardt will be the youngest player in the squad and has great expectations of his missions in the men's league.

The return of keeper Sven Rohleder, who already played for Demmin between 2015 and 2017 and 2021, is particularly remarkable. "Contact with coach Hannes Lemcke and the compatibility of professional obligations made my decision to change," reports Rohleder and emphasizes the importance of good cooperation with the other goalkeeper Marvin Göhner.

Structural changes and future goals

In the coming season, unit Demmin will again be structured in a way that is structured. The previous youth game community with HSV Peenetal Loitz was dissolved because the communication between the two clubs was not optimal and the young player needs to play directly in Demmin. Silvio Schüler, the sporting director and second chairman of the club, comments on the separation: "The players wanted to play handball again in Demmin." This shows a clear focus on strengthening the association and the development of local talents.

In addition, not only the first men's team will be active. The second team will also compete in the district league-East, while the women's team and the female B-youth will play in various leagues. Students confirmed: "We want to present Demmin as a traditional handball city and offer viewers attractive handball." This shows that the ambitions go far beyond the first men's team and support all teams.

The importance of ascent

The rise of unit Demmin to the Oberliga-Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania marks an important step in the club's history. After years in the association league, the team has faced a higher challenge that is significant both sporty and economically. The climb not only attracts more attention in the region, but can also lead to higher income from spectators and sponsors. This is accompanied by the responsibility to keep the league, which is a critical goal for many clubs.

The association has strategically prepared for the new season by adapting its squad structure and integrating new players. Such changes are often necessary to adapt to the fast pace and the intensity of the higher leagues. In addition, the financial framework is often narrower, which means that a stability concept must be implemented in order to exist in the competition.

The effects of the player change

Player change, such as that of Marc Hagemeier to the SG Uni Greifswald/Loitz, can have far -reaching effects on team dynamics. Hagemeier was not only a Torgarant, but also an experienced player, whose departure could weaken the offensive power of unit Demmin at short notice. The new players like Uli Gierke, Laurin Becker and Jan Kühle bring a breath of fresh air, but first have to integrate into the existing team.

How important the integration of new players is often shows in team performance. Success in handball strongly depends on the chemistry in the team. Players have to understand each other on and next to the field to be successful. The training, which started in July, serves not only the physical preparation, but also for team building to develop a coherent style of play.

A look at the league

The Oberliga-Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is known for its high competitiveness. Last season, various teams showed that supposedly weaker teams are able to achieve surprises. Each game requires maximum concentration and operational readiness, which increases the pressure on the players. Relegation is therefore an ambitious but realistic goal for the club.

The club management also promotes the youth area, which in the long term has the goal of developing talents that can rise to the first team. This is particularly important because young players often not only bring fresh perspectives, but also motivation and identification with the association.