badminton Bundesliga: Wittorf Prepares for Challenging Weekend
The Badminton Bundesliga returns this weekend with Blau-Weiß Wittorf facing two tough opponents. On Saturday, they host bottom-of-the-table SG Schorndorf at 2 pm, followed by a sunday showdown against league leaders and reigning champions SV Fun-Ball Dortelweil, also at 2 pm.
This weekend marks a historic moment for both Wittorf and German badminton. for the first time ever, 38-year-old former Danish world number 8, Hans-Kristian solberg Vittinghus, will take to the court for Blau-Weiß wittorf Neumünster. This is also Vittinghus’ debut in the German bundesliga, a league he has never played in before.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hans-Kristian, a true badminton icon, to our team,” said team manager Ralf Treptau. “His presence will undoubtedly elevate our game.”
Vittinghus enjoyed a stellar career, reaching the pinnacle of world badminton. He was part of the historic Danish team that clinched the World Team Championship title in 2016, becoming the first European team to achieve this feat. He is also a multiple-time European Team Champion.As the summer, Vittinghus has taken on a new challenge as the Danish national coach for men’s singles.
Joining Vittinghus on the Wittorf roster this weekend are Bjarne Geiss, Hauke Graalmann, Sören Toft Hansen, and Mette Werge.
Graalmann recently secured the runner-up spot in the U19 men’s singles at the North German Championships, showcasing his rising talent. Unfortunately, jonathan Dresp will be absent as he competes in an international tournament in Estonia. patrick Volkmann is also unavailable due to injury.
Sunday’s match against Dortelweil could see a reunion between Wittorf and their former number one men’s singles player, Matthias Kicklitz, who transferred to Dortelweil last season. A potential clash between Kicklitz and Vittinghus promises to be a highlight of the weekend, offering spectators a glimpse of top-tier badminton.
“Our goal is to secure a victory against SG Schorndorf, who are stronger than their current league position suggests,” stated Treptau. “Facing the reigning champions on Sunday will be a monumental challenge, but we’ll give it our all and aim to maintain our strong position in the table.”
A German Badminton Renaissance? An Interview with Former World Champion, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus
The Badminton Bundesliga is back this weekend, and all eyes are on Blau-Weiß Wittorf. They’re not just facing any opponents; they’re taking on bottom-of-the-table SG Schorndorf on Saturday and a true titan, the reigning champions SV Fun-Ball Dortelweil, on Sunday. but what makes this weekend truly historic is the debut of a badminton icon: Hans-Kristian Vittinghus.
Joining me today is the man himself, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, former world Number 8 and part of the history-making Danish team that clinched the World Team Championship back in 2016. Welcome, Hans-Kristian!
Hans-Kristian: It’s fantastic to be here!
Moderator: You’re making yoru Badminton Bundesliga debut this weekend after a stellar international career. What drew you to this German league at this stage in your career?
Hans-Kristian: Well, truth be told, I’m excited about a new challenge.After years at the international level, I felt ready to contribute to a different format and environment. The Bundesliga presents a great opportunity to compete on a high level while helping a team grow.
Moderator: You’ll be playing alongside some promising young talent, such as Hauke Graalmann, who recently impressed at the North German Championships. What are your thoughts on his potential, and how crucial is mentoring the next generation for you?
Hans-Kristian: Hauke is a very talented player with a luminous future. Seeing the drive and talent in these younger players is incredibly motivating.For me, passing on what I’ve learned from my career and helping them develop is a notable part of this new chapter.
Moderator: Speaking of chapters, Sunday’s match against Dortelweil could see you face Matthias Kicklitz, your former teammate who transferred to them last season. What are your thoughts on facing him?
Hans-Kristian: Matthias is a tough competitor. It would be a great challenge to play against him, and I’m looking forward to it.
Moderator: Given this challenging fixture list, what are Wittorf’s realistic goals this weekend?
Hans- Kristian: We are definitely aiming for a strong performance against Schorndorf. They often play above their positioning. Sunday against Dortelweil will be a arduous challenge, but we want to compete fiercely and demonstrate our potential as a team.
Moderator: with your international experience and the impressive talent on Wittorf’s roster, could this mark the beginning of a German badminton renaissance?
Hans-Kristian: There’s definitely a lot of potential for growth in German badminton.The Bundesliga is becoming more competitive, and I believe with continued investment and passion, we can see more German players succeeding on the international stage.
Let’s open this up to our readers now. what are your thoughts on this weekend’s matches? Do you think Wittorf can pull off an upset against Dortelweil? Share your opinions in the comments below!
