Champions’ derby vs. league leaders’ classic clash
The six teams in the Southern League have had ample rest and will enter the next round of matches after the first international game of the year. Two weeks after the marathon weekend, two European Cup participants will kick off the 8th matchday of the Bundesliga Southern League on Friday night (7 PM). Heidenheim Heideköpfe will face Stuttgart Reds in the Baden-Württemberg derby. Meanwhile, Regensburg Legionnaires will play against Mainz Athletics. On Saturday (1 PM), the action continues at Hartmühlenweg, with Munich-Haar Disciples also involved. The second game will take place on Sunday (1 PM), with Stuttgart and Heidenheim meeting again for their second showdown.
With their impressive home performance in this year’s European Champions Cup, Voith Heidenheim Heideköpfe achieved a hat-trick at home against Regensburg and Prague. The defending champions compensated for their earlier two losses against the Legionnaires with three consecutive victories. This allowed the Heidenheim family to make a direct comparison with their major rivals. Despite losing five games, coach Klaus Eckle’s team has played one more game than the leader. The defending champions hope to maintain their momentum in the derby against Stuttgart. In the first half of the season, both Baden-Württemberg teams won one game each—both away.
For the Stuttgart Reds, the break has been extended by a few days. With their batteries fully charged, the Swabians hope to continue their push for a playoff spot. The Bad Cannstatt team currently ranks fifth with a 6:8 record, trailing Haar and Mainz by two games. The “Reds” recently won three out of four games against Hünstetten over the long weekend. Apart from playing against the currently bottom-ranked team, Stuttgart has yet to achieve double victories this season. If the Reds want to realize their playoff ambitions, they must change this in the competition for the coveted spots. Stuttgart will face each of the top four teams four times.
The Regensburg Legionnaires’ return to the European stage has not been as smooth as Heidenheim’s. A week and a half ago, the Regensburg team narrowly lost 0-2 to the Czech top team Brno, entering the break with a defeat. Nevertheless, the clash with the 24-time champions from the neighboring country was a successful endurance test. The travel strain should now be digested. In Mainz, coach Martin Helmig’s team hopes to defend their top position. In the first round, the Upper Palatinate team defeated the Athletics twice (12:4, 11:1). Since then, the team’s strength has significantly increased.
Regardless of any changes to the Regensburg squad since the last encounter, Mainz Athletics are seeking revenge. The two losses on the Danube were the worst of the season. Since then, the Rhinelanders have balanced their record (4 wins, 4 losses). On the double matchday, Munich-Haar’s two away losses were followed by two home victories for the “Green-Yellows.” Most importantly, the grand slam success should provide a strong tailwind for the two-time Bundesliga champions. The Athletics have remained unbeaten in six home games this year.
Mainz’s stunning victories are contrasted by the Munich-Haar Disciples. Last year’s quarter-finalists relinquished their success in Rhineland-Palatinate, subsequently finishing second. The Upper Bavarians now hope to return to the winning path against Hünstetten. The battle for playoff spots is in full swing, and the “Disciples” are right in the thick of it. Two wins against last season’s promoted team have been confirmed. Munich’s first stop may still be a painful memory for STORM. In mid-April, there were two devastating double-digit losses (1:11, 5:15). The Hessians now visit the Bavarian capital for the second time.
