Jogi Bitter says Lebewohl: A handball hero leaves the stage!

Jogi Bitter says Lebewohl: A handball hero leaves the stage!

Handball fans in Hamburg had to say goodbye to a true legend: Johannes Bitter ended his active career after 657 Bundesliga games. In the emotional last game of his life, HSV Hamburg pulled 32:32 against SG Flensburg-Handewitt. Over 11,500 spectators flocked to the hall to celebrate the 42-year-old keeper, who bitterly goes into history as "Jogi". Despite a dramatic last moment in which a seven meter for Flensburg cost the victory, the mood did not let himself be spoiled, because the true highlight was bitter.

With this game, not only an outstanding player says goodbye, but also the last active world champion from 2007. Bitter, who started his professional career at SC Magdeburg, won numerous titles, including the German Championship 2011 and the Champions League 2013 with Hamburg. The fans waved special jerseys with his name and chanted his name while he had his last appearance on the field. "It was a mega great time," said bitterly back to his career emotionally. The spectators left no doubt about the importance of this farewell, while they paid homage to “Jogi” bitter, who would like to go through life as John in the future.

a moving career end

Bitter celebrated its premiere in the Bundesliga at the age of 20 and played in three different clubs before returning to Hamburg. In his debut in 2002 he stood between the posts of Wilhelmshaven HV. With 600 missions, he was about a remarkable performance in the history of the handball Bundesliga, just before the historic milestone, which was only reached by a few players. The tragedy of last season, in which he lost due to the bankruptcy of the HSV Handball games, did not detract from management. As hamburg-handball.de he had previously survived in his 600th game in 2022 and was passed by his colleagues as a team player celebrated.

his resignation is not only a loss for HSV Hamburg, but also for German handball as a whole. With over two decades of experience and tireless efforts, Johannes Bitter not only won games, but also conquered heart. He now sees his future in a role to help the team to bring "fresh wind" and new impulses. So a chapter closes while a new one for the outstanding athlete begins.