Washing jerseys in extra shiftsTop Handball Players Hosted at Hotelcamp Reinsehlen

Schneverdingen, August 19, 2025. When team buses pull up in the summer, jerseys hang up to dry in the event hall, and a lively hustle and bustle takes over, one thing is clear: the International Heide-Cup has begun – and Hotelcamp Reinsehlen transforms for a few days into a vibrant sports camp. Top professional handball teams have been among the regular guests for years as they get in shape for the new season at the renowned warm-up tournament in Schneverdingen. For the players, this means training, team building, and deep relaxation in the idyllic surroundings of the Lüneburg Heath.

“The Hotelcamp offers the teams not only peace and comfort, but also a space for togetherness,” says Laura Balzer from the hotel’s event planning team. “The athletes spend their time here almost like in a training camp – but with significantly more atmosphere.” Once the Heide-Cup starts, the entire grounds belong to the teams. The accommodations are exclusively reserved for them, and the lobby garden becomes a place to play games, share laughs, or simply unwind. Away from the hustle and bustle of tournament life, players, coaches, and support staff find room to connect, recharge, or gain fresh perspectives.

A Positive State of Emergency

It quickly becomes clear in daily operations that this stay is more than a standard hotel offering: training schedules dictate meal times, individual dietary requirements are accommodated, last-minute changes to the schedule are routine—and the hotel team is also called upon when it comes to laundry. A dedicated laundry room is available around the clock, with towels and jerseys running through the machines in special extra shifts. “For our team, this means entering a state of emergency every year—but in the best possible way,” says Laura Balzer. “It’s not every day that you get to host top international teams. And it’s wonderful to see the level of respect and warmth everyone shares with one another here.”

This unique atmosphere is equally evident during the traditional Saturday evening barbecue: all teams sit together at long tables in the garden alongside organizers, referees, and volunteers. They share meals, laughter, and expert talk, often well into the evening. “This isn’t just a formal obligation; it’s a real highlight,” says Laura Balzer. “These genuine, eye-level encounters are what make the Heide-Cup—and the stay with us—so special.”

A Win for the Region and the Sport

The International Heide-Cup is recognized as one of the most successful warm-up tournaments in professional handball. Teams such as HSV Hamburg, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VfL Gummersbach, IK Sävehof, St. Raphaël, and Kadetten Schaffhausen have all been past guests—often returning multiple times. This year, from August 8 to 10, six top-tier teams once again gathered in Schneverdingen: alongside HSV Hamburg, the tournament hosted Kolstad IL (Norway), TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, Aalborg Håndbold (Denmark), VfL Gummersbach, and Kadetten Schaffhausen (Switzerland).

The fact that Schneverdingen turns into a stage for world-class handball year after year is a major win that extends beyond sports: the entire region benefits when international teams are within arm's reach for a few days. Hotelcamp Reinsehlen supports the event not only logistically, but with true passion. “We look forward to this special time every year,” says Laura Balzer. “Not just because it’s exciting from a sports perspective, but because genuine connections happen here—between people, cultures, and teams. And that simply fits who we are.”

A Place for Top Athletic Performance

What works for handball players is equally compelling for teams from other disciplines: whether football, cycling, or triathlon—Hotelcamp Reinsehlen offers the ideal infrastructure for athletic groups. The rooms are practical, distances are short, and the kitchen is flexible. Surrounding the hotel is a network of excellently developed running and cycling paths through the open heath landscape—perfect for endurance training in a unique setting. The grounds themselves provide ample space for physical activity, focus, and togetherness.

The hotel is especially valued for its unconventional teambuilding offerings: whether sheep herding as leadership training or reflection sessions in nature—teams visiting Reinsehlen experience far more than a standard training week. “We offer teams the opportunity to get to know each other better away from the sport itself,” explains Laura Balzer. “This fosters team spirit, which in turn positively impacts performance on the court.” Furthermore, smaller groups and individual athletes also find optimal conditions here to focus on their performance while soaking in the unique atmosphere.

Jan Lohmann, Lodge Reinsehlen

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