Herbert Lübking

Center Herbert Lübking belonged to the West German handball team that finished sixth after losing the match for fifth place 17-16 against the Soviet Union at the 1972 München Olympics. He won 139 international caps and scored 650 goals. In 1966, Lübking won the field World Championships. He was considered one of the world’s best handball players of that era.

Domestically, Lübking played with Dankersen from 1960-70, and with TuS Nettelstedt from 1970-78. With Dankersen he won West German field handball national titles in 1967 and 1970 and the European Champions Cup in field handball three years in succession, 1968-70. Between 1959 and 1970 he scored 4,011 goals for Dankersen.

In 1970, Lübking moved to TuS Nettelstedt, for sporting and economic reasons, so he could work with the fashion company Hucke. Lübking’s move aroused significant furor among handball fans and the media. He was ostracized in Dankersen, received death threats, and his home’s windows were broken. His move to Dankersen was not popular in the handball world, and Werner Vick, German national coach, suspended him, although he was re-instated prior to the 1972 München Olympics. Tragically, Lübking’s 3-year-old son was also abducted, fortunately for only one day. During his time with Nettelstedt, Lübking added a further 2,222 goals to his already impressive tally.

Lübking started a coaching career with Nettelstedt, before moves to TBV Lemgo, TuS Lahde, TuS Möllbergen back to Grün-Weiß Dankersen. By profession, he was a wholesaler working with Melitta, until his move to Nettelstedt. In 1966, he was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany`s highest sports award.