Alpla HC Hard: disappointment and upheaval after a dramatic season!

Alpla HC Hard: disappointment and upheaval after a dramatic season!

In an insightful interview with Vorarlberg LIVE Heimo Lindner, the managing director of Alpla HC Hard, spoke about the club's past season and the challenges the team had to overcome. Although the team won the basic round of the Handball League Austria (HLA) by seven points and was able to reach the final, Lindner expressed dissatisfaction: “A season without a title is not a successful season.” Hard lost the decisive final against Krems 0-2.

Another central topic of the interview was Ivan Horvat's drastic suspension, which was triggered by a serious foul in the play-off quarter-final against Bregenz Handball. Horvat received a record ban of 26 months and 11 days for his action in which he injured Markus Mahr. This was determined by the independent handball court of the Austrian Handball Federation (ÖHB) and means that Horvat is banned from all competitive games until June 30, 2027. Lindner also criticized the short period of just nine minutes that the club had to inform Horvat of the verdict.

Team changes and future prospects

Horvat's suspension not only has an impact on the team, but also on the future of the club. Lindner reported that Horvat will be leaving the club after seven years, but will remain active in the HLA. There are also further personnel changes: Samuel Wendel is ending his career, while the players Antanavicius and Schnabl are moving to Germany. New to the team are Marc Andre Haunold, Nico Sager and Tryggvi Jonsson. Haunold, who previously played for the Fivers, brings valuable experience. The 20-year-old Sager is a promising talent who is currently playing with the U21 national team at the World Cup in Poland. Jonsson comes from Iceland with four championship titles and will play a key role in the new season.

However, Lindner remains vague when it comes to squad planning and does not give a definitive answer to the future formation of the team. “The next steps must be carefully considered,” said the managing director. The Alpla Summer Cup, which will take place on August 1st and 2nd in the sports hall at the lake, will provide an opportunity to present the newly formed team. Participants include THW Kiel, TBV Lemgo Lippe and Handball Tirol.

Injuries in handball sports

The events surrounding Ivan Horvat also shed light on the topic of injuries in handball. How on safety.sport reported, preventive measures are crucial to avoid injuries. This includes wearing special indoor sports shoes for better grip and using mouth guards to prevent dental injuries. A particular focus is on safety in the area of ​​sports facilities: operators are responsible for the maintenance of the halls, while coaches and players should check the conditions before the game.

In summary, the developments at Alpla HC Hard show how quickly the external conditions in handball can change. The challenges caused by injuries and absences must be continuously overcome in order to remain competitive in the future. Lindner and his team are faced with the task of learning the lessons from last season and preparing themselves optimally for the challenges ahead.