With the upcoming start of the 2026/27 Handball-Bundesliga season, six of the 18 clubs have made changes or confirmed their on-court leadership. These updates reflect both planned transitions and last-minute adjustments following the departure or retirement of key players. For fans, these captaincies are more than symbolic — they are clear indicators of what to expect from a team's performance and dynamics in the new season.
Leadership changes across the Bundesliga
In Magdeburg, Magnus Saugstrup has been appointed as the new captain following Christian O'Sullivan's departure after a decade with the club. Saugstrup, who has already led the Danish national team, brings experience to the role. He is supported by Matthias Musche as co-captain, ensuring strong leadership within the team.
Füchse Berlin selected Max Darj as captain following an internal vote. Darj, in his third season with the club, took over the role during the 2024/25 season after the unexpected retirement of Paul Drux due to injury. His leadership was recognized by his teammates, and he now guides the Füchse through the new campaign.
SG Flensburg-Handewitt made a surprising choice by appointing Emil Bergholt as the successor to Johannes Golla. The decision was agreed upon unanimously by the coaching staff and sporting director. Bergholt, a recent addition, is set to lead the team as they enter a new phase. VfL Gummersbach has named Ellidi Vidarsson as their new captain, with the experienced Icelandic player stepping into the role after Julian Köster's departure.
TBV Lemgo Lippe continues with Tim Suton as their captain. The 30-year-old, who has been with the club since 2024/25, is a vital part of the team with his steady leadership and a contract through 2030. His experience ensures the Lipper remain grounded this season.
THW Kiel has once again gone with a trio of captains, a tradition they have maintained for years. Domagoj Duvnjak, Rune Dahmke, and new signing Julian Köster were selected by head coach Börge Lund, assistant coach Christian Sprenger, and CEO Viktor Szilagyi before the team's preseason trip. This decision reflects their commitment to shared leadership on the court.
Clubs still waiting to name their leaders
Rhein-Neckar Löwen have yet to appoint a new captain following Patrick Groetzki's retirement. Manager Maik Machulla revealed during a July press conference that the club will make a decision in the coming weeks. The leading candidates are David Späth and Jannik Kohlbacher. Frisch Auf Göppingen already named Ymir Örn Gislason as their captain in summer 2024, with the 29-year-old stepping into the role after the retirement of long-time icon Tim Kneule.
At HSV Hamburg, Elias Kofler will take on the captain’s role after Niklas Weller stepped down to become the club's president. Kofler, who joined from VfL Potsdam in 2025 and signed a contract through 2030, quickly became a key figure for the team. His leadership will now be tested as he steps into the spotlight.
TSV Hannover-Burgdorf named Marian Michalczik as their new captain after the departure of Marius Steinhauser. The 29-year-old, with a contract through 2029, is now supported by Hannes Feise, who previously held the co-captain role under Steinhauser. This transition maintains continuity within the team.
Established leadership and team traditions
Both the Bergischer HC and TVB Stuttgart have opted for captaincy duos. At the Bergischer HC, Christopher Rudeck and Tomas Babak lead the team together. TVB Stuttgart has Patrick Zieker as captain, with Samuel Röthlisberger acting as co-leader. Both teams rely on their duos to manage on-court dynamics effectively.
ThSV Eisenach confirmed Peter Walz as their captain after his move from HG Saarlouis in 2021. He took the role in 2023 and has since remained the team’s steady presence under coach Stefan Krämer. With a contract in place through 2028, his leadership continues to shape the team’s direction.
As the season approaches, these captaincies highlight the strategic decisions of each club and offer a glimpse into the team identities for the upcoming Bundesliga campaign. With six new leaders stepping up, fans can expect a mix of continuity, change, and strong on-court direction in the 2026/27 season.