Tusem Essen suffered a derby defeat in the 2nd German Handball League shortly before Christmas. A few days before the game, the Tusem coach announced his resignation.

2,324 spectators – the arena has room for 2,600 fans – came to the Sporthalle am Hallo to watch the NRW duel between Tusem Essen and ASV Hamm-Westfalen in the 2nd German Handball League.

After the bitter 23:36 defeat in the first leg, Tusem, tenth in the table, was unable to make amends and also lost 26:31 (14:17) to ASV, third in the table, in Essen.

Around 200 vociferous ASV fans, who had traveled with the team, went wild and celebrated their team.

Tusem coach Michael Hegemann said after the game: “We didn’t manage to put so much pressure on the opposing team’s attack through our defense that we were able to get our goalkeepers into the game. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that well. We conceded too many goals and missed a few chances. Then, of course, it becomes difficult. We had some good runs on the ball in attack, but Hamm simply deserved to win in the end. “

A few days before the Hamm game, Tusem and Coach Hegemann announced that they would end their collaboration on June 30, 2024 after around ten years.

“Michael Hegemann has played a key role in our sporting success in recent years. In the last two seasons as head coach, he has brought about a change in our team and introduced young players to the German Handball League. We are very grateful to him for the work he has done, his tireless commitment and his high level of identification with and for TUSEM over the years. We look back on our time together with a good feeling, part on good terms and will end our cooperation in the summer. Until then, we will continue to work together in a spirit of trust,” explains Niels Ellwanger, Managing Director of Tusem.

“Hege” ended his active playing career in 2017 and was initially assistant coach to Jaron Siewert and Jamal Naji in the following years. In 2022, he took over as head coach and led the young team to ninth place in the table following a personnel shake-up in the previous season. Alongside his coaching duties, Hegemann is currently completing the DHB’s A-license course.

“I already look back on my time at TUSEM with great gratitude. The fact that I was able to be active in the club for ten years and that I was given the opportunity to start my coaching career straight after my playing career is not something that can be taken for granted. I am very grateful to those responsible, my players and the Tusem fans for their trust in me and my work,” says Michael Hegemann.

One last league game is scheduled for the 2023 calendar year, when the team travels to Dormagen for the Christmas game next Tuesday (26/12). Kick-off against TSV Bayer is at 5:30 p.m. at the Bayer Sports Center