Pauline Machtens remains Captain of the HSV Women's Team

Pauline Machtens will continue to lead the Rothosen onto the field as captain next season. The team’s coaching staff announced this during the training camp in Arnhem. Machtens will be supported by Annaleen Böhler and Paulina Bartz as her vice-captains. In addition, a leadership group has once again been formed for the 2026–27 season. Its purpose is to foster communication between the team and the coaching staff and to support the trio of captains.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and very proud to be able to serve as captain of this team again next season. The fact that I’ve been entrusted with this role once more means a lot to me. I know the responsibility that comes with it,” says Machtens. “With Annaleen and Pauli, I have two great players by my side whom I can rely on at any time. At training camp, we grew even closer as a team and developed a really great team spirit. Now we’re just excited for the new season and want to come out swinging with full energy right from the start.”

Coach Rodolfo Cardoso explains the decision: “Pauline is a very experienced player who has been with the club for a long time and knows both the team and the organization inside and out. She is highly regarded within the team and is greatly valued and respected by her teammates. She fulfilled her duties as captain very conscientiously last season, so there was no doubt in our minds that we should continue on this path together.”

In Saturday's friendly against 1. FSV Mainz 05, Böhler started the game as captain. For the final half-hour, she handed the captain's armband to Machtens, who was returning to the field after recovering from a thigh injury.