Neckarsulmer SU (women's handball)

Sport-Union Neckarsulm
Full nameSport-Union Neckarsulm e.V.
Short nameSUN, Sport-Union
Founded1 January 2009 (1 January 2009)
ArenaBallei-Sporthalle
Capacity1,500
PresidentRolf Härdtner
Head coachThomas Zeitz
LeagueHandball Bundesliga Frauen
2024-259th
Club colours   
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Neckarsulm
Location of Sport-Union Neckarsulm

Sport-Union Neckarsulm is the women's handball team of the sports club Sport-Union Neckarsulm, from the town of Neckarsulm in the southwest of Germany. The team competes domestically in the Handball-Bundesliga and the DHB-Pokal. They play their home matches at the Ballei-Sporthalle and usually wear dark navy shirts and shorts.

History

Early years

Sport-Union Neckarsulm was founded on New Year's Day in 2009 as Neckarsulmer Sport-Union (NSU) through the merger of Sportvereinigung Neckarsulm 1946 and Sportfreunde Neckarsulm. The name alludes to the NSU Motorenwerke, the predecessor of Audi, which was located in the city of Neckarsulm until 1985. The multi sports club consists of 17 different sections of which the women's handball section is one of the best known because of their multi-year participation in the Bundesliga, Germany's most important handball league.

Climbing up the league pyramid

After two championship titles in regional fifth and fourth tier leagues, coach Emir Hadzimuhamedović led the team also to promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in the summer of 2013. In the following years, the team established itself there and gained promotion to the Bundesliga as second division champions in 2016.

A big part in the various promotions from regional amateur levels to professional tiers played the successful under-17 team, which won the German championship in 2011. Talented players of this youth team formed an integral part of the first team in later years.[1]

New name and establishment in the Bundesliga

After promotion to the Bundesliga Neckarsulmer Sport-Union was fighting against relegation for their first three years in Germany's top tier but eventually managed to stay in the league. With coaches Pascal Morgant and Tanja Logvin at the helm, the team established itself in the following years as a solid force in the Bundesliga with a sixth-place finish in the 2020-21 season, the best result to date.

In 2021 Neckarsulmer Sport-Union was forced to change its name and crest due to unwanted associations with the right-wing extremist organization National Socialist Underground, although the abbreviation NSU has a long regional tradition in and around the city of Neckarsulm.[2] Now playing as Sport-Union Neckarsulm the club produced players like Selina Kalmbach or Sarah Wachter who went on to become internationals for Germany.

Season to season

Season Tier Division Position Points DHB-Pokal
2009–10 V Württembergliga (Nord) 9th/12 19:25
2010–11 V Württembergliga (Nord) 1st/12 44:0
2011–12 IV BW-Oberliga 1st/14 50:2 Round of 32
2012–13 III 3. Liga (Süd) 1st/14 48:4
2013–14 II 2. Bundesliga 7th/14 27:29 Round of 16
2014–15 II 2. Bundesliga 4th/14 34:18 First round
2015–16 II 2. Bundesliga 1st/16 53:7 Quarterfinals
2016–17 I Bundesliga 12th/14 13:39 Round of 16
2017–18 I Bundesliga 13th/14 10:42 Round of 32
2018–19 I Bundesliga 12th/14 13:39 Quarterfinals
2019–20 I Bundesliga 9th/14 12:24 Quarterfinals
2020–21 I Bundesliga 6th/16 37:23 Round of 16
2021–22 I Bundesliga 7th/14 26:26 Round of 16
2022–23 I Bundesliga 12th/14 15:37 Round of 16
2023–24 I Bundesliga 10th/14 14:38 Round of 16
2024–25 I Bundesliga 9th/12 16:28 Round of 16
2025–26 I Bundesliga

Arena

Sport-Union Neckarsulm play their home matches at the Ballei-Sporthalle, a multi-purpose arena which hosts up to 1,500 spectators (1,125 seated and 375 standing).[3] The arena complex also includes a hall for cultural events for up to 1,000 people as well as a restaurant and a bowling alley.[4] The men's handball team of the club plays selected matches at the Ballei as well. The arena is among the most visited in the Bundesliga.[5]

  • Name: Ballei-Sporthalle
  • Location: Neckarsulm, Germany
  • Capacity: 1,500 spectators
  • Address: Deutschordensplatz 1, 74172 Neckarsulm

The club's most prominent supporters' group is Blaue Wand ("Blue wall"), which is located in sector K of Ballei's Audi-Tribüne since the 2025-2026 season. Until then the group was situated in sector B. Blaue Wand arranges away day travels as well as meet-and-greets with players and staff and is also heavily involved in the organisation of home matches.[6]

Bundesliga attendances at Ballei-Sporthalle
Season Overall Average Rank Notes
2016–17 14,305 1,100 4th/14 [7]
2017–18 13,541 1,041 7th/14 [8]
2018–19 13,550 1,042 6th/14
2019–20 7,511 938 9th/14[9] [10]
2020–21 1,217 304 5th/16[11] [12]
2021–22 9,378 721 1st/14[13] [14]
2022–23 11,878 914 5th/14 [15]
2023–24 12,865 990 5th/14 [16]
2024–25 12,075 1,006 8th/12 [17]
2025–26

Team

Current squad

Squad for the 2025-26 season.[18]
No. Position Player Nationality Date of birth (age) Height Year signed Signed from End of contract
Goalkeepers
12 GK Johanna Fossum (2003-01-25) 25 January 2003 1,75m 2024 Sola HK 2026
29 GK Lena Ivančok (2001-03-29) 29 March 2001 1,84m 2023 RK Lokomotiva Zagreb 2026
Wingers
19 RW Iva van der Linden (1998-04-19) 19 April 1998 1,78m 2024 Boden Handboll IF 2026
21 LW Alessia Riner (2004-01-08) 8 January 2004 1,70m 2023 LK Zug 2026
22 RW Meret Ossenkopp (1998-06-21) 21 June 1998 1,75m 2025 HL Buchholz 08-Rosengarten 2027
Line players
5 P Kim Hinkelmann (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 1,83m 2023 Holstebro Håndbold 2027
39 P Merle Albers (2004-04-19) 19 April 2004 1,83m 2025 Palente Besançon Handball 2028
Backcourt players
7 LB Angunn Gudmestad (2001-05-08) 8 May 2001 1,67m 2024 Aker Topphåndball 2026
11 CB Annefleur Bruggeman (1997-07-23) 23 July 1997 1,81m 2022 Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2026
13 LB Alicia Soffel (1999-02-11) 11 February 1999 1,76m 2025 HSG Bensheim/Auerbach 2027
14 LB Kamila Kordovská (1997-12-04) 4 December 1997 1,79m 2025 Handball Plan-de-Cuques 2027
17 CB Lynn Holtman (2004-07-07) 7 July 2004 1,75m 2024 Westfriesland SEW 2026
23 LB Munia Smits (1999-12-23) 23 December 1999 1,78m 2022 HSG Bad Wildungen 2026
58 RB Lilli Holste (2001-04-25) 25 April 2001 1,79m 2024 HSG Bensheim/Auerbach 2026
78 LB Paulina Uścinowicz (1999-10-16) 16 October 1999 1,83m 2025 HSV Solingen-Gräfrath 2027

Transfers

Transfers for the 2025-26 season.[19]

Technical staff

Technical staff for the 2025-26 season.[20]

Personnel

Notable former players

Appearances and Goalscorers

Competitive matches and goals in the Bundesliga only. As of 26 April 2025.[21][22][23]

Most appearances
Rank Player Years Games
1 Selina Kalmbach 2016–2022 134
2 Sarah Wachter 2019–2023 97
3 Irene Espínola Pérez 2018–2022 95
4 Seline Ineichen 2016–2020 91
5 Nele Reimer 2017–2020
2021–2022		 82
6 Annefleur Bruggeman 2022– 76
7 Sharon Nooitmeer 2021–2024 75
8 Lynn Knippenborg 2019–2022 72
9 Nathalie Hendrikse 2019–2022 72
10 Jill Kooij 2019–2022 72
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Years Games Goals Ratio
1 Irene Espínola Pérez 2018–2022 95 420 4.42
2 Nele Reimer 2017–2020
2021–2022		 82 361 4.40
3 Lynn Knippenborg 2019–2022 72 324 4.50
4 Nathalie Hendrikse 2019–2022 72 280 3.89
5 Nina Engel 2022–2024 50 263 5.26
6 Munia Smits 2022– 49 217 4.43
7 Seline Ineichen 2016–2020 91 206 2.26
8 Selina Kalmbach 2016–2022 134 205 1.53
9 Lena Hoffmann 2016–2019 52 191 3.67
10 Jill Kooij 2019–2022 72 183 2.54

Former coaches

Competitive matches in the Bundesliga only. As of 26 April 2025.

Coach Nat. From To G W D L Win%[A] PPG Honours Notes
Stefan Arnold 07/2009 06/2010 — − − − — -
Emir Hadžimuhamedović 07/2010 02/2018 38 9 2 27 023.68 0.53 1 2. Bundesliga
1 3. Liga
1 BW-Oberliga
1 Württembergliga
Annamária Ilyés (Caretaker) 02/2018 03/2018 7 0 0 7 000.00 0.00
Tanja Logvin 04/2018 06/2018 7 1 1 5 014.29 0.43
Pascal Morgant 07/2018 01/2020 37 9 1 27 024.32 0.51
Maike Daniels (Caretaker) 01/2020 06/2020 7 3 0 4 042.86 0.86
Tanja Logvin 07/2020 01/2023 67 32 3 32 047.76 1.00
Mart Aalderink (Caretaker) 01/2023 06/2023 14 5 1 8 035.71 0.79
Thomas Zeitz 07/2023 Present 50 17 0 33 034.00 0.68 [24]

A. ^ Win percentage is rounded to two decimal places.

Honours

  • 2. Bundesliga
    • Champions (1): 2016
  • 3. Liga (Süd)
    • Champions (1): 2013
  • Baden-Württemberg Oberliga
    • Champions (1): 2012
  • Württembergliga
    • Champions (2): 2011, 2024 (Second team)

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Main shirt sponsor Notes
2009/10 – 2010/11 H2O Autohaus Weilbacher
2011/12 – 2012/13 Hummel TDS Informationstechnologie AG
2013/2014 ProTouch
2014/2015 Fujitsu
2015/2016 Bäckerei Härdtner [25]
2016/17 – 2020/21 Erima Kaufland/Lidl [26]
2021/22 – 2023/24 Joma [27]
2024/2025 Erima [28]
2025/26 – 2028/29 JAKO [29]

References

  1. ^ "Als die Neckarsulmer B-Juniorinnen die deutsche Meisterschaft feierten". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Jetzt ist klar: Neckarsulmer Sport-Union benennt sich um". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Ein Bekenntnis zur Heimatstadt: Sport-Union Neckarsulm bleibt Ballei treu". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Ballei und Festhallen". City of Neckarsulm. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Alle Statistiken: Zuschauer". Handball Bundesliga Frauen. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Blaue Wand". Fanblock Blaue Wand. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  7. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 6 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2016–17. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  8. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 14 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2017–18. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  9. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, several matches were played behind closed doors.
  10. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 11 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2019–20. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  11. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, the majority of matches were played behind closed doors.
  12. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 17 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2020–21. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  13. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, some matches were played behind closed doors.
  14. ^ » Zuschauer Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine (in German) handball-world, Spectator figures 2021–22. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  15. ^ » Zuschauer (in German) Handball Bundesliga Frauen, Spectator figures 2022–23. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  16. ^ » Zuschauer (in German) Handball Bundesliga Frauen, Spectator figures 2023–24. Retrieved 06 June 2024
  17. ^ » Zuschauer (in German) Handball Bundesliga Frauen, Spectator figures 2024–25. Retrieved 26 April 2025
  18. ^ "2025/26 squad". Handball Bundesliga Frauen. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Paulina Uścinowicz komplettiert Rückraum der Sport-Union Neckarsulm". Heilbronner Stimme. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Veränderung auf der TW-Trainerposition: Oli Rieth kehrt zurück und übernimmt in Doppelfunktion für Branka Zec" (published 5 June 2025). 4 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Sport-Union Neckarsulm". Handball Bundesliga Frauen. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  22. ^ "1. Bundesliga » Statistiken". Handball.net. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  23. ^ "1. Handball Bundesliga Frauen". handball-world. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  24. ^ Buchmann, Nils (February 8, 2023). "Neckarsulmer Neustart mit Thomas Zeitz". Heilbronner Stimme. p. 17.
  25. ^ "Maike Daniels verlässt die Neckarsulmer Sport-Union". June 2021.
  26. ^ "Aufsteiger Neckarsulm präsentiert neuen Ausrüster". June 2016.
  27. ^ "Joma wird neuer Ausrüster der Sport-Union Neckarsulm". July 2021.
  28. ^ "Sport-Union möchte bei Fans und Vorstand für einen niedrigeren Blutdruck sorgen". August 2024.
  29. ^ "Sport-Union Neckarsulm und JAKO starten langfristige Ausrüstungskooperation". February 2025.
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