Wikipedia leaves no doubt about the complexity of the task: "Handball referees are among the most stressed referees in sport." Not only because they have about ten times as many decisions to make during the game as their football colleagues. The scope of the whistles is also enormous: there is no other major sports game in which the referees have so much discretion in their decisions. Striker foul, circle entry, wrong suspension, steps: Again and again the uninitiated (and also experts) wonder what caused the referee to give the final whistle.

That was particularly evident on the previous Bundesliga matchday.

In Flensburg, Kiel and Hamburg there were judgments by the referees that left both teams excited.

In addition, there was inattentiveness at the timekeeping desk.

Tumultuous scenes with hair-tearing coaches followed in Flensburg and Hamburg.

Once again the impression arose that a professional game with sales of millions of euros would be led by amateurs.

Specifically, the current discussion is sparked in three areas.

Would a “shot clock” help sanction the time game in a comprehensible way?

So a set time for an attack?

Does a “buzzer”, which the trainer hits on, help so that no valuable seconds pass before a time-out?

And could the video evidence give the referees more certainty in their decisions?

Both the “buzzer” and the video evidence are given at international championships. Both have proven themselves. The acceptance of video evidence is high - it is used much less often than in football and has not only brought about more justice when it comes to the question of “red card” or “two-minute penalty”. A “shot clock” has been under discussion for years. In basketball, it is part of the competition. The referees would have the advantage that they would no longer have to decide at their own discretion when the arm goes up and time play threatens. This watch would be a relief.

Sebastian Hinze, coach of Bergisch HC, has just spoken out in favor of trying out the “shot clock” at a major junior tournament. He says: “We should demand everything that makes our sport fairer.” It remains to be seen whether “fairer” could also mean “less interesting” - the vague moments of handball are appealing to many.

Introducing buzzers and video evidence in the handball Bundesliga would make sense simply because it made life easier for the referees and timekeepers.

There are technical aids that help the referees and could contain some of the excitement on the benches.

Basically, teams and referees in this country are on a good collaborative path, as players, coaches and referees confirm.

People talk to each other, ask questions, and explain.

If gray areas were removed now, everyone would be served.