Officials and players at Borussia Dortmund have reacted with disbelief to the German Handball Federation's decision to crown a champion in the men's Bundesliga but not in the women's Bundesliga. The season has been ended prematurely in both leagues due to the corona crisis; there was a close title race between the teams in first and second place in both leagues, each of which still had eight rounds of fixtures left to play.

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Dr. Reinhard Rauball with captain Alina Grijseels

"This difference in treatment between women and men is a scandal," declared Andreas Heiermann, who heads up the department. "The fact that there is a champion in the men's game and not in the women's game points towards discrimination," said BVB president Dr. Reinhard Rauball, before expressing his "thanks to the players, the coach and the department heads for a great season," which "was unfortunately not crowned with a title". But: "We will always remember the incredible sporting performance."

The Netherlands international and World Cup winner Kelly Dulfer reacted with shock: "I find it very strange that there is a difference between the men's and women's league. There is a champion in the men's league, but not in ours. That is simply unfair! We had a good season, and I think we deserved to be awarded the title."

With 18 of the 26 rounds played, Borussia Dortmund's women's handball team topped the standings with a score of 34-2, ahead of reigning champions SG BBM Bietigheim (33-3). In the men's league, THW Kiel (44-8) occupied top spot ahead of SG Flensburg-Handewitt (42-12). In both leagues, the runner-up still had a home game against the leader to come.

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Unfairly denied: Kelly Dulfer

"This is speculation, which is unsporting," declared Heiermann, who cannot comprehend the fact that every league operating under the DHB's umbrella has had a champion crowned – with the sole exception of the women's Bundesliga. In the Regionalliga West (third tier), leaders TV Aldekerk 07 and second-placed Borussia Dortmund II were level on points – yet the title was awarded to Aldekerk on account of their superior goal difference, "and we immediately congratulated them," said Heiermann. 

Nonetheless, there was one decision from the federation that did go in Borussia Dortmund's favour: the women's handball team will take part in the EHF Champions League for the first time in the club's history next season. "I'm obviously absolutely delighted about the Champions League spot," said key performer Kelly Dulfer. Dr. Reinhard Rauball promised: "We will not be diverted from our approach of continuing to intensively promote women's handball in Dortmund. We owe this to the many extremely talented young people." BVB's A and B-youth teams were on course to claim the German title in their respective age categories too.
Boris Rupert