Presented in the 107th Schleswig-Holstein Derby and lost the lead in the table: record handball champion THW Kiel experienced a bitter fourth Sunday in Advent.
After the 23:36 (12:17) at SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Kiel had to give up the top position again to Füchse Berlin, who, after initial problems, still prevailed with 30:28 (14:17) at promoted VfL Gummersbach.
The joy of Flensburg was correspondingly great after the 38th and highest success in the history of the "North Clasico". "That was outstanding. Our best game in a long time," said SG goalkeeper Benjamin Buric, who made 16 saves and played a key role in the win, after the game on Sky. "We had problems in attack and got a lot of counterattacks", THW captain Domagoj Duvnjak analyzed the weaknesses of his team. But the Croatian also announced: "We will get up again."
Emil Jakobsen with eight goals
The early stages of the game featured two strong defenses. Since the Kielers made more technical mistakes and poorer finishes, the match tipped in favor of the hosts. In addition to Buric, left winger Emil Jakobsen, who was the best scorer of the game with eight goals, also played a decisive role. The Dane scored the 12:8 (22nd minute) with a counterattack, to 15:10 (27th) and 16:10 (28th) he scored with seven meters.
At the beginning of the second half, Kiel reduced the deficit to 15:17 with three goals within just 90 seconds. Flensburg were also unimpressed by Kiel's seven-a-side game. Captain Johannes Golla increased the lead to 24:17 (40th) with two goals into the empty THW goal. In the 47th minute, Kiel's defense strategist Hendrik Pekeler saw the red card after a foul on SG playmaker Jim Gottfridsson. With the 29:20 by Simon Hald a minute later, the decision was made.
Foxes Berlin now the new leader
The new championship leader from Berlin turned onto Siegerstraße late. Eight minutes before the end it was still 28:28 in Gummersbach. Two goals from the veteran Hans Lindberg ensured the foxes' away win. It is not yet clear whether the Berliners will be able to win the unofficial first round championship. Defending champion SC Magdeburg only has five minus points with two games less, as does Berlin.
Frisch Auf Göppingen celebrated their first league victory under the new head coach Markus Baur. The Swabians prevailed 33:29 (16:9) against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf. On the other hand, Hrvoje Horvat's debut as coach of HSG Wetzlar failed. The Central Hesse lost their home game against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen 23:29 (10:16). The Mannheimers claimed fourth place in the table.
