VfL Gummersbach Cancels Game Against Rhein-Neckar Löwen Due to Food Poisoning
After a successful match in the European League, VfL Gummersbach found their victory short-lived. A bout of food poisoning hit a large proportion of the team while celebrating their victory in Partille. VfL Gummersbach canceled its Bundesliga match against Rhein-Neckar Löwen only a day after securing victory in Sweden against IK Sävehof.
Only half the team was able to fly back to Germany, with the remaining players stranded in Sweden due to the unexpected illness.
The game, which was due to take place on Thursday, is now postponed. “After everything with how our injury situation went this season, I thought that we had experienced everything and were somehow unlucky, but this just tops it all off,” explained VfL managing director Christoph Schindler.
“In coordination with the club representatives from Mannheim and the HBL, the game should be rescheduled as soon as possible,”
VfL had secured a 28:25 win against IK Sävehof, finishing first in their group. Afterwards, Hofmann went on to explain that “severe gastrointestinal symptoms” had begun the night before the match against the Lions. “The only good thing about food poisoning is that the symptoms, as quickly and violently as they appear, usually subside within a few days,” explained VfL team doctor Dr. Jochen Viebahn.
Schindler confirmed that the Rhein-Neckar Löwen
have been extremely “collegial” in their response to the sudden
cancellation. “I know that it is brutally annoying to cancel a home game the day before the game, and we are very sorry about this”
Thechangeable game against the Löwen was highly anticipated by both teams. A win for VfL would have seen them climb to fifth place and potentially close the gap against league leaders to just two points.
How common is food poisoning?
## Gummersbach Hit by Food Poisoning, Match Cancelled
**Today we’re joined by Dr. Anna Schmidt, a specialist in foodborne illnesses, to discuss the recent cancellation of the VfL Gummersbach handball match against Rhein-Neckar Löwen due to a suspected case of food poisoning within the Gummersbach team. Dr. Schmidt, thank you for joining us.**
**Dr. Schmidt:** Thank you for having me.
**Let’s start with the basics: how common is food poisoning, and what are some of the typical symptoms?**
**Dr. Schmidt:** Food poisoning is unfortunately quite common. It happens when you consume food or drink contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites [[1](https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/remedies-for-food-poisoning)]. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of contamination, but often include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
**Those are certainly disruptive symptoms for a team preparing for a big game. What led to the decision to cancel the match?**
**Dr. Schmidt:** In competitive sports, player health and safety are paramount. When multiple players on a team experience these symptoms, especially symptoms like severe vomiting and diarrhea, it’s a strong indicator of potential food poisoning.
Canceling the match allows time for the affected players to recover and receive appropriate medical care. Continuing to play could risk further dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even more serious complications.
**What measures can teams take to prevent these kind of outbreaks from happening in the future?**
**Dr. Schmidt:** Proper food handling and hygiene are crucial. This includes ensuring food is cooked to the right temperature, stored properly, and handled by staff who practice good hygiene.
Teams should also consider working with a qualified nutritionist to ensure players are eating balanced meals and are adequately hydrated.
**Thank you, Dr. Schmidt, for shedding light on this important issue. We wish the VfL Gummersbach a speedy recovery and a successful return to the court.**
