TG Saar start the DTL season – home competition against TV Wetzgau

The countdown has begun: the new Deutsche Turnliga (DTL) season begins for TG Saar on Saturday (12 April 2025) – kicking off with a home competition against TV Wetzgau. It all starts in Kreissporthalle Dillingen at 6 p.m., with expectations as different as the two teams’ situations.

Challenging season with complex planning

This year’s competition calendar will be a challenging one for the teams. European championship in the spring, world championship in the autumn, and a whole series of world cup events – there are plenty of calls on the gymnastics elite, which is also making for an erratic DTL season. There are just two competitions in the spring and then a long break, followed by a single date in September and then a compact end to the season in November.

Overview of top division season dates:

• 12/04/2025 – TG Saar vs. TV Wetzgau (Dillingen)
• 07/06/2025 – TG Saar vs. MTV Ludwigsburg (Dillingen)
• 06/09/2025 – Siegerländer KV vs. TG Saar (Siegerland)
• 01/11/2025 – TuS Vinnhorst vs. TG Saar (Vinnhorst)
• 08/11/2025 – TG Saar vs. SC Cottbus (Dillingen)
• 15/11/2025 – KTV Straubenhardt vs. TG Saar (Straubenhardt)
• 22/11/2025 – TG Saar vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Dillingen)
• DTL finals: 29/11/2025 (Heidelberg)

Lineup challenges for TG Saar

The team remains unchanged with no departures or arrivals – which should help to ensure stability. However, injuries have made for a difficult start. Moritz Steinmetzt is out following shoulder surgery, Daniel Mousichidis is recovering from an elbow operation, and Maxim Kowalenko is also missing after his injury at the end of the season last year, once again with a broken foot. Waldemar Eichorn is also not yet available again after his torn cruciate ligament. This means that the team is without almost its entire pommel horse contingent.

At the same time, rule changes are creating further uncertainty. The new Code of Points has some major changes, meaning that many routines will need to be completely overhauled. What this means for the start of the season remains to be seen.

Saarland’s established athletes are now in demand. Long-term top performers such as Felix Remuta, Florian Lindner and Luca Ehrmantraut, as well as the last remaining ‘young buck’ Gabriel Eichhorn, are expected to be called upon for all apparatus. As an additional safeguard, Marius Püschel (aged 18) was called up from the second team as a late addition. However, this young gymnast is likely only to be used in an absolute emergency.

International support for TG Saar

The international athletes on the team also have limited availability. Whilst Matteo Levantesi is in top form as the team’s only international gymnast, Artur Avetisyan will not be appearing in their opening match, as he is competing for his country at the world cup in Osijek. Oleg Verniaiev cannot compete due to injury and Joe Fraser is unable to appear because of personal commitments.

Difficult task against TV Wetzgau

TG Saar are not the favourites in this home competition: although championship runners-up TV Wetzgau have had to make a few lineup changes, they are still bringing a squad of strong athletes. Andreas Toba, the ‘hero de Janeiro’ who is viewed as a fighter and role model in the gymnastics world, will be heading the Wetzgau team.

Michael Steinmetz, club official and hall announcer at TG Saar, has a realistic view of the challenge ahead: 

If we can gain some decent points on one or two apparatus, we will consider it a success. In the current situation, every point counts.

Season goal: a solid middle of the pack

In terms of long-term planning, TG Saar has set itself the goal of securing a position in the middle of the table. Their strategy is clear: ‘get through the spring in good form and then see what happens in the autumn.’

Appearances by other TG Saar teams

Whilst the first division team are competing in Dillingen, the youth team will be hoping to gain league points from an away competition in Straubenhardt that same afternoon. The second team’s season does not start until the end of September.

The countdown begins! TG Saar looking forward to starting on Saturday

There is huge excitement about being back competing in front of a home crowd. The Saarland team are hoping for lots of local support.

TG Saar are starting their new season with some challenges to face, but the team are ready to tackle the task. Their home competition against TV Wetzgau will offer a first glance of how this year could turn out.

We are looking forward to an exciting season with TG Saar and wish them much luck and success.