Opel Becomes Partner of the German National Handball Teams and New Title Sponsor of the HBL

“Opel and handball are a perfect match. Both stand for team spirit, commitment to performance and dynamism,” says Patrick Dinger, Head of Opel Germany. “Like Opel, the handball fan base is deeply rooted in the heart of society – family-oriented, down-to-earth, approachable and authentic. And there is another strong connection: both brands were founded and have grown in Germany and continue to stand unmistakably for ‘Made in Germany’ to this day. Together with our retail partners, we are looking forward to an exciting, energetic and successful collaboration with the national teams and the league.”

Mark Schober, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Handball Federation (DHB), adds: “Opel and German handball move people. DHB, HBL and Opel contribute energy and shared values to this partnership, enabling us to grow together as part of a strong handball alliance. We already share a common history, and we are now bringing our strengths together for a successful future under the quality label ‘Made in Germany’. The partnership with Opel opens up tremendous opportunities for German handball.”

Opel’s strategic initiatives within the long-term partnership include the targeted support of handball as well as the further sharpening of the brand profile. At the same time, the sponsorship strengthens Opel’s positioning in the context of elite sport. In addition, Opel will serve as a mobility partner. Opel has always built sporty and modern vehicles. Today, this claim is embodied in particular by the new high-performance models of the GSE sub-brand – as well as by the new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer, designed, developed and built at the company’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim, and the top-of-the-line Grandland SUV produced in Eisenach. These models stand for German engineering excellence.

With the world’s first all-electric rally one-make cup, Opel has been underlining its pioneering role and expertise in exciting, locally emission-free motorsport for five years now, captivating customers and fans alike. The company’s entry into Formula E further reinforces this ambition. At the same time, Opel is demonstrating with its hot new “everyday sports cars” – such as the battery-electric Mokka GSE and the Corsa GSE, set to launch later this year – how electric, sporty driving pleasure ignites pure emotion and works for the heart of society.

This very place – the heart of society – is where Opel has always positioned itself as an innovative automotive manufacturer that stands for affordable mobility. And just like Opel’s new high-performance GSE models, fast-paced ball sports such as handball are defined by dynamism, a commitment to performance and competition. This makes the strategic partnership with the German women’s and men’s national handball teams, as well as with the world’s strongest handball league, a perfect fit. Because, just like Opel, handball stands for speed, emotion, precision and high technical standards on the one hand, and approachability and down-to-earth values on the other. As a result, handball has become the second most popular sport in Germany.

With its fast and intelligent style of play, it ranks among the reach-leading team sports on German television and at live events. Thousands of fans flock to sold-out arenas for every match, while millions follow the action intently on TV. Both partners – handball and Opel – clearly embody the idea of “made in and made for Germany”: founded and grown in Germany, with a clear focus on inspiring a passionate and continuously growing domestic fan base.

Opel has long been a partner of sport in general and of dynamic ball sports in particular. With all of the measures outlined above, Opel is now returning to handball with a resounding statement. After all, the company’s involvement in this team sport, which grew to prominence in Germany, has a long tradition at Opel. As early as the 1980s and 1990s, the manufacturer was a jersey sponsor of the German national handball team and a partner of seven-time German champion TV Großwallstadt. With its comprehensive new commitment to the national teams and the Handball-Bundesliga, Opel will continue to fuel enthusiasm for handball across the country as a reliable partner. Opel and handball fans – and all those who are yet to become fans – can look forward to what lies ahead.