Ukrainian handball champions put together for brand spanking new season in German second division

It’s dwelling away from dwelling for Ukraine’s handball champions HC Motor Zaporizhzhia, as they discovered refuge in Dusseldorf, now competing in Germany’s second tier.

When it grew to become clear that Ukraine’s high handball league wouldn’t be capable of resume, they struck an settlement with the Handball Bundesliga second division, to play as a visitor group for the upcoming season.

The association offers the gamers a way of normality, as finest it could actually.

“In fact, the blokes are all the time involved with their households and so they know what is going on on round within the nation, and they’re fearful about it,” says Lithuanian Gintaras Savukynas, Zaporizhzhia’s head coach.

Zaporizhzhia are reigning Ukrainian champions for 9 years in a row. However the metropolis has develop into a family title as Europe’s greatest nuclear energy plant is subjected to combating between Ukrainian and Russian troopers, prompting fears of a continent-wide disaster.

“For me, sports activities assist at this second since you focus in your follow,” says Oleksandr Kasai, a Zaporizhzhia participant.

“Generally your thoughts relaxes, some days. However, sadly, we’ve got conditions when you may’t (not) take into consideration your own home.” 

Zaporizhzhia open their season in opposition to Bayer Dormagen on Wednesday of their adopted dwelling, with free admission to all Ukrainian refugees.