HSG Nordhorn-Lingen’s financial problems have developed into a major licensing dispute that could yet reshape the German second tier.
HSG Nordhorn-Lingen’s preparations for the new season have been overshadowed by a financial crisis, and now the future of the club in the 2. Bundesliga is being challenged in court.
The controversy comes just days after Nordhorn hosted a remarkable Premium Cup featuring Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Füchse Berlin. On the court, the hosts showed they could compete with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, losing 41–44 to Barcelona before beating PSG 44–38 after the French champions had previously lost to Berlin.
Off the court, however, Nordhorn are facing a much more serious opponent. According to financial records examined by Handball-World, the club recorded a deficit of around €779,000 for the 2024/25 financial year. While the club had been reducing the deficit and benefiting from strong attendances, the third-highest in the 2. Bundesliga, the scale of the financial problems has raised serious questions about the licensing process.
The HBL originally granted Nordhorn a licence for the 2026/27 season without conditions in April. But after the club publicly acknowledged its difficult financial situation in July, the league imposed several measures.
Nordhorn were ordered to provide evidence that their liquidity shortfall could be covered, while further restrictions were placed on personnel spending. New signings can only be made with approval from the licensing commission, and the HBL announced its intention to deduct six points from the club at the start of the new season.
“Significant discrepancies”
The HBL also stated that there were “significant discrepancies” between the information provided by Nordhorn during the licensing process in spring 2026 and the league’s current understanding of the club’s financial situation. That statement triggered a major reaction from HSG Krefeld Niederrhein.
Krefeld finished 17th in the 2. Bundesliga last season and were relegated to the 3. Liga. However, the club argues that Nordhorn may have obtained its licence on the basis of incorrect or incomplete financial information.
If Nordhorn had not received a licence, Krefeld would have been the first club in line for a place in the second tier. Krefeld initially challenged the decision through the HBL’s internal procedures, but lost the first round on 5 August. The club has since taken the dispute to the civil courts. On 7 August, Krefeld filed for an interim injunction at the Regional Court in Dortmund, seeking to force the HBL to admit them to the 2. Bundesliga.
The court is scheduled to consider the case on Wednesday, August 19, just nine days before the new 2. Bundesliga season begins. Krefeld has gone as far as accusing Nordhorn of deliberately providing false information during the licensing process. Those are allegations, not established facts, and the HBL has previously stated that its independent trust body found no indication that Nordhorn’s licence had been unlawfully granted.
For now, Nordhorn remain on the list of clubs due to compete in the 2. Bundesliga. But the situation remains highly uncertain. And this is hardly the first time Nordhorn have found themselves in financial trouble. The club was relegated from the Bundesliga in 2009 following serious financial problems, with several of its leading players leaving as a result.