Waspo 98 Hannover celebrates best season and opens “Hall of Fame”
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Big farewell party: Waspo 98 celebrates the best season and opens the “Hall of Fame”
Hanover.They are turning the Volksbad Limmer into a water polo “Hall of Fame”: First, the pictures of the seven departing players and those of the most successful players are still hanging in the Waspo 98 marquee on Whit Monday. Soon they will decorate the clubhouse. “You deserve it. It was the best season we’ve ever had,” said head coach and patron Karsten Seehafer. The hat-trick champions ended the Champions League Final 8 tournament in Belgrade in sixth place, and the party continued in Limmer on Monday. It was also the farewell of seven top performers and Carmen Gelse, who ended her career with the Waspo women.
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President Bernd Seidensticker spoke introductory words to around 100 guests, and they were pithy. “We’re the hottest club ever – and by far the best in water polo,” he said in a good mood. That set the tone. “It feels like we partied through, even at the tournament,” reported coach Seehafer.
Real is happy about a “super finish”
After the outstanding 11:9 victory over Marseille in the placement round, Waspo lost 8:10 to Barcelona in the match for fifth place. The Spaniards had just lost against the victorious defending champion Pro Recco from Genoa. “It was a great finish, plus the titles in Germany are dying, it couldn’t be better,” said Julian Real, who is retiring. His buddy Moritz Schenkel is different: The goalkeeper continues to play in Duisburg and will enter the water for Germany in the World Cup test against the USA on Wednesday.
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It was a big family party, all the players had their children with them. Time for lots of souvenir photos. “It’s been three great years, I’ve found friends. I am very grateful for that,” said Ivan Nagaev. The Russian left-hander has accepted a lucrative offer from Vasas Budapest. “The club has big plans, they also want to make it to the Final 8,” said Nagaev. Part of his family, who fled Ukraine, will stay in Hanover. Waspo is helping, “and I can only say thank you for that,” says Nagaev.
Group photo with a lady: Waspo says goodbye to seven players and the player Carmen Gelse in the Volksbad.
© Source: Stefan Dinse
For the longtime captain of the national team, Carmen Gelse, the time at Waspo is also coming to an end. Her picture will also adorn the Waspo Hall of Fame. The 34-year-old police commissioner is looking forward to more peace. They will still watch a few parties and “maybe play in the second from time to time”.
In addition to the celebrations, there were important insights for Waspo from Belgrade. Like all other teams, the champion keeps his wildcard and will also be in the main round of the top 16 next season. This also applies to Vice Spandau 04, nothing will change in the mode. Like Waspo, the Berliners are undergoing an upheaval. In his speech, Seidensticker couldn’t resist a dig at his archrival: “We demoted Spandau to second place.”