MT Melsungen with a “Second-Team Core” in Europe: Youth Exam at Vardar
German Bundesliga side MT Melsungen continue their EHF European League campaign with an away match against Vardar 1961 in Skopje. The German team arrives in the Macedonian capital after a demanding schedule and a narrow Bundesliga defeat to Hamburg at the “Barclays Arena”. Immediately after that game, Melsungen’s delegation headed to Hamburg airport and then travelled via Vienna to Skopje.
For the match against Vardar, Melsungen’s coaching staff will give opportunities to young players and members of the club’s second team to prove themselves on the European stage. Assistant coach Finn Lemke explained the decision.
“In this way, we can test players from our youth set-up and the second team and gradually integrate them into the first team.” Among those who travelled to Skopje are Lino Duketis, Max Pregler, Jonathan Attin, Jonas Rike, Leander Altena, Leon Stell, Jason Wilfer and Pavel Krawczyk,” Lemke said.
The reasons behind the decision are multifaceted. Lemke pointed out that some regular first-team players are carrying minor injuries, while fatigue has also built up due to the packed calendar, including the recent European Championship. In addition, a virus has spread through the squad, which led several players to return to Germany directly from Hamburg.
“We trust the youngsters. They have already shown they are ready for challenges like this,” Lemke added.
Despite the changes to the roster, Melsungen travel to Skopje aiming for victory, while Vardar—after losing to Benfica in the opening round of the second phase in Lisbon—will be looking to get back on track. The match will be played on Tuesday at 20:45.
