The year before last, a merger of the wrestling teams from SV Fellbach and SC Korb, which were competing in the league, seemed to be in the clear. Shortly before the final signature, some of the Korber “Lions” were afraid to appear together with their good friends from SV Fellbach. But now it’s a done deal: In the second attempt, the Fellbacher and Korber wrestling departments have agreed to form a fighting group under the name Rems-Löwen.
Three men’s and two youth teams
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A total of five teams will start league play from the beginning of September. In addition to three men’s teams – in the upper league, the association league and the state class – two teams will also compete in the youth league. For SV Fellbach, this means a double promotion, so to speak, because after missing the merger, SV Fellbach had to accept relegation to the association league after the end of the 2024 season, in which head coach Tariel Shavadze’s selection ended up in fifth place in 2025, exactly in the middle of the final table. The SV Fellbach second team will also be competing in a league higher in the future.
The SCK anticipates the generational problem
Thomas Heumann, the sporting director of the SVF wrestlers who was successful on the mat in his youth, is primarily concerned with the next generation: “Offering young people a good sporting education and achieving success is our only goal.” For Korber department head Uwe Schaal, who is heavily involved in various functions and whose experienced team recently finished the league round in a respectable sixth place in the table, there is, according to his own statement, the opportunity to anticipate the impending generational problem. He also hopes to expand the sponsor network.
The SVF scores points with its young talents
In what seems to be an ideal addition, SV Fellbach – despite Kevin Karl’s departure to ASV Schorndorf – scores with its young talents such as Noel Lozancic and Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The latter, for example, recently won all six of his fights at the Württemberg championships early and without giving up a point. “For the really good young wrestlers, it means the chance to get appearances in the top league,” says Thomas Heumann, citing an advantage of the cooperation, which does not extend to individual championships.
Fights in the Silcherhalle are unthinkable
For the Fellbach wrestling fans, however, the decision means something further ahead. With possibly one exception, all league appearances by all five teams will take place in the Korber Ballspielhalle, also known as the Löwen Arena. The precarious and extremely cramped conditions in the Fellbacher Silcherhalle are simply unreasonable given the expected number of spectators. “It is unthinkable that we will wrestle in the Silcherhalle because it is not suitable for the major league for infrastructural reasons,” says Uwe Schaal. In the Lion Arena, however, several hundred wrestling fans can easily be accommodated. “Some things will be more professional in the future,” says Thomas Heumann with regard to catering, infrastructure and logistics. In addition, the SC Korb has a large, committed group of helpers who are experienced in the competition process.
In terms of sport, the departments fit together well
In terms of sport, both departments seem to fit together well. While Korb is also well-staffed in freestyle and in the heavy weight classes, SV Fellbach has a number of Greco specialists at work who tend to be successful in the light and medium weight classes. There should also be synergy effects in everyday operations through joint training, but also through practice units separated by style.
Thomas Heumann wants to be at the forefront
In view of the fighting community described by Uwe Schaal and Thomas Heumann as a “win-win situation”, the sporting goals of the Rems Lions are – at least currently – rather modest. None of the main actors mention the word advancement. But one thing is also clear to Thomas Heumann: “We definitely want to be at the forefront.”
date: 2026-02-13 00:03:00
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