European League: THW Kiel wins, shocking moment for goalkeeper Wolff

AUDIO: Nowottny becomes one of the THW heroes in Montpellier (0 min)

by Tobias Knaack

The national goalkeeper was left lying on the ground shortly before half-time after a parade, and a short time later he sat on the bench with his face contorted in pain and was replaced by Leon Nowottny. In the evening, the THW gave the all-clear that it was a muscular blockage.

Three days after the defeat in the derby at SG Flensburg-Handewitt (34:36), the Kiel team started the game strongly in Montpellier – but like against their northern rivals, they played a significantly weaker second half. Overall, the victory was deserved due to the more mature playing system and better coverage. Veron Nacinovic was the “Zebras’ best scorer with six goals”.

Before they play at home against the Polish team from Ostravia Ostrow on the second matchday next Tuesday (6:45 p.m.), the Schleswig-Holstein team will face another German European League participant in the Bundesliga on Saturday. The MT Melsungen will then be a guest on the fjord (8 p.m.).

Kielers start extremely focused

The Kiel team got off to a perfect start in Montpellier. In attack, the cross movements and throwing efficiency were spot on, the hosts tried with forceful toughness, but simply couldn’t keep up. And Jicha’s protégés attacked hard in defense – the score was 6-1 after eight minutes.

MHB coach Erick Mathé took a break and his team was a little more creative, at least on offense. But the North Germans remained the ones who set the tone because they were more alert and consistent. An example? Domagoj Duvnjak intercepted – not for the first time – an attempted pass to the circle, just seconds later Bence Imre chased the ball into the net on the other side (12:6, 17th).

Nowottny has to replace Wolff

By the break, the Schleswig-Holsteiners had extended their lead to seven goals (16:9), but had to overcome the injury to keeper Wolff shortly before the end of the first 30 minutes. After a save, the national goalkeeper fell on his stomach on the ground while trying to get up again and shortly after getting up he indicated that he had to be substituted. Up until then, like the entire defense, he had shown a strong performance with seven saves (43 percent).

THW goalkeeper Andreas Wolff was injured shortly before the break and remained on the ground.

Youngster Nowottny replaced him and made two saves shortly after the restart – the second against a hidden shot spectacularly with his foot (32nd). Despite a temporary eight-goal lead (20:12, 36′), those in front of him were far too unfocused at the start of the second half. Within three minutes, the French reduced the lead to 17:20 with a quick 5-0 run.

Jicha took a break – a measure at the right time. Although the hosts initially came within two goals (18:20), things went better again after that: Rune Dahmke scored plus six goals for THW a quarter of an hour before the end (25:19).

THW wins thanks to Nowottny and Johansson

But the “Zebras” were far from finished because they missed a few throws up front and suddenly acted far too passive in defense. Kylian Villeminot scored the goal eight minutes before the end (26:27).

The game was now completely open again. But thanks to some strong saves from Nowottny in the final phase, THW saved the victory. The game was decided by Eric Johansson’s 30th goal at the latest.

The Lower Saxony handball Bundesliga team won the start of the European League with 31:29 against the Danish club.

The EHF has awarded the final round of the second most important European Cup to the Hanseatic city for the third time in a row. The launch is at the end of May 2026.