To Germany, Time to Move Again | Restarting My Journey in Germany | Water Polo Note

It has been two years since I interrupted my playing career abroad due to the impact of COVID-19 and an injury. The chance to challenge myself in Europe has come around again. The place I chose next is Germany🇩🇪!
You can find my previous article here👇️

An offer from the German First Division✉️

After returning home urgently from the Netherlands, I was waiting for my next opportunity in Japan when I received a message: "I want you to come to Germany." It was an offer from a team belonging to Group B of the German First Division.
I had no hesitation. "Of course, I'll go! Please let me play water polo!" And just like that, my move to Germany was decided.

Challenging the German top league

The German league is a league with deep history and a very large organization, home to many powerhouse teams that boast some of the best talent in Europe (such as Hannover and Spandau Berlin).
The team that offered me a spot was a First Division Group B team located in Düsseldorf, where many Japanese people live. The German First Division consists of 16 teams in total. Group A is composed of powerhouse teams that compete in the Champions League and Euro Cup. On the other hand, Group B, where I was to be based, is where teams aiming for promotion to Group A are gathered.

The strength required in the German league

The most distinctive feature of the German league is the physique and power of the players. It has deep ties to Hungary, a long-standing water polo powerhouse, and legends who once excelled in the Olympics and world tournaments have been active as coaches, pushing up the level of the entire league. In recent years, top players from around the world, such as those from Montenegro and Serbia, have also chosen to play in the German league.
To play in such an environment, a strong mentality to face opponents with large physiques without fear is essential.

Gaining double the experience with two teams

A valuable experience during my time playing in Germany was the unique system of dual-team registration. In the German league, there is a rule that allows the same player to be registered for both the first team and the second team.
While playing in first-team matches, I also had the opportunity to play in matches for the second team, which was centered around young and veteran players. This was only possible because the GM and the coach expected me to "overcome the two-year gap and get used to the German system as quickly as possible."

Next time, I would like to look back on the matches and practices in Germany. See you then!

The Offer

Following an emergency return from the Netherlands, I was biding my time in Japan, waiting for the next opportunity. Then, a message arrived: "Come to Germany." It was an offer from a team in the German First Division, Group B.
"Of course! I’ll go! Please let me play water polo!" I responded immediately. My journey to Germany was set.

The German League

The German League is home to some of Europe's top teams, including powerhouses like Hannover, Spandau Berlin, and Duisburg. It is a historic and well-established league with a very large organization, and I’m still getting to grips with all the details.
The team that offered me a contract is located in Düsseldorf, a city with a large Japanese community. They are part of the German First Division's Group B. The First Division consists of 16 teams, divided into two groups. Group A is for top-tier teams that compete in tournaments like the Champions League and Euro Cup. Group B, where my team plays, is made up of teams striving to join Group A.

What Makes the German League Unique

One of the most notable features of the German League is the sheer physicality and power of the players. The league has a deep historical connection with Hungary, a traditional water polo powerhouse. Many legends who once starred in the Olympics and World Championships are now coaches in the German league, raising the overall level of play. Today, top players from countries like Montenegro and Serbia also choose to play here.
To compete in this league, you need a strong mentality to stand your ground against physically dominant opponents.

Doubling My Game Time

I had a very valuable experience while playing in Germany: being registered to two teams simultaneously. In Germany (and the Netherlands, as I recall), a player can be registered for both the first and second teams.
My coaches registered me for both squads, allowing me to play in games for the first team while also getting significant playing time with the second team, which is a mix of younger and veteran players. It was a clear message from the GM and coach: "We want you to shake off the two-year break and get used to the German system as quickly as possible."

Next time, I'll look back at some of the games and practices I experienced in Germany.

See you then!