As of: April 4, 2026 10:41 p.m
SG Flensburg-Handewitt preserved its small championship chance with a 35:32 (18:13) win over northern rivals TSV Hannover-Burgdorf. For the “Recken” it was the sixth defeat in a row in the handball Bundesliga.
The meticulous work of the new coach Juan Carlos Pastor (in office since January this year) is not yet bearing fruit. The former Spanish national coach wants to further develop his team in all areas – and seems to be overtaxing them in doing so. At least that was the impression on Saturday evening in many parts of the duel with the SG, which appeared more homogeneous and mature than the TSV.
Sven-Sören Christophersen, sporting director of the “Recken”, was still not dissatisfied. “The boys were fully there and took to the hall quite well. We also said that we had to use it to our advantage. And I am very proud and grateful that the hall is still full. That is also the way for the future, to continue to pull out of it together. Because not every one of the last six games was a bad one,” he told NDR.
Birlehm prevents higher “stretching” residue
At the end of their English week, Flensburg showed no signs of fatigue in the first half. The SG combined fluently and made many free throws against the sometimes somewhat stiff TSV defense. The hosts had their keeper Joel Birlehm to thank for not falling hopelessly behind early on.
The 28-year-old had already made six saves after less than 15 minutes. But against the guest players, who repeatedly broke through without any major resistance, even Birlehm in top form was not enough for the “Rights” to be able to act on an equal footing with the SG.
Flensburg pleased with concentrated defensive work
Especially since the Lower Saxony team no longer played at the required level in attack from the middle of the first section onwards. Flensburg, often vulnerable in defense so far this season, impressed in the first 30 minutes with a very mobile and compact defense and deservedly went into halftime with a comfortable five-goal lead.
Hanover briefly gains hope
Hannover-Burgdorf (l.) around August Pedersen fought their way into the game in the second half.
Even after the break, it initially didn’t seem as if Hannover would be able to cause the SG any major problems. It took until the 35th minute for TSV’s first goal after the break. After Vilhelm Poulsen shortened the score to 14:19, the “Recken” improved considerably.
The home side were finally able to develop more pressure from the positional attack, which Leif Tissier directed increasingly better. And the Hanoverians now also took more courageous action when it came to cover. Thanks to the significant increase in performance, the “Recken” were able to reduce the deficit to two goals.
Flensburg wobbled but didn’t fall because it could rely on its backcourt. Emil Jakobsen and Niclas Kirkeløkke scored 32:28 and 33:28 (54th/56th) to ensure the decision was in favor of the guests, leaving table leaders SC Magdeburg at least a little on their heels. Because the gap to the “Gladiators” is still four points if there are more games played.
“It was 60 minutes of hard work. We had to do our jobs here to get the two points,” summed up circle runner Johannes Golla, who was the SG’s most successful shooter with eleven goals.
