It was an unbelievable thriller – but one with a happy ending for the team of THW trainer Filip Jicha. When the foghorn sounded at the end, the Kiel Arena was upside down. The narrow success was enough for the “Zebras” after the draw in the first leg to qualify for the final four of the premier class (18th and 19th June) for the eighth time.
The people of Kiel are going to Cologne – unlike SG Flensburg-Handewitt, who lost to defending champions FC Barcelona. Other possible opponents of Kiel are KS Vive Kielce (Poland) and KC Veszprem (Hungary).
On Sunday (2 p.m.) there will be a northern derby between SG and THW in Flensburg for Bundesliga points and thus for qualification for the Champions League in the 2022/2023 season.
“Zebras” run after Paris
Even a win with just one goal difference would be enough – with this knowledge the Schleswig-Holsteiners went into the game. But how difficult it would be against the star ensemble from the Seine was already evident in the early stages. PSG used two mistakes in the Kiel attack to throw long shots into the opposing goal, ex-THW professional Nikola Karabatic and the strong Nedim Remili scored. After six minutes, THW was 1:4 behind.
However, Jicha decided not to take a time-out, instead relying on his team finding their way without further instructions.
In fact, line runner Patrick Wiencek made the connection with the 5:6 (18th minute). However, more was initially not. Paris stayed ahead – also because of some mistakes by the hosts with a 7: 6 majority.
With the score at 14:15 (25th), the task for the “Zebras” was considerably more difficult: defense specialist Hendrik Pekeler held the ankle of his right foot with a pained face and hobbled to the substitutes’ bench. It was 17:19 at the break. But everything was still possible.
Kiel turn up after the break
After the change of sides, the tide turned. Also because THW goalkeeper Niklas Landin became a factor. Magnus Landin made it 19:19 (34th), Sander Sagosen made it 21:20 (37th) with a counter-attack for the first THW lead of the game. A hit with effect: now the North Germans were fully there.
THW Kiel – Paris Saint-Germain 33:32 (17:19)
Goals Kiel: Landin (7), Reinkind (6), Wiencek (6), Zarabec (4), Sagosen (3), Ehrig (2), Duvnjak (2), Weinhold, Dahmke, Pekeler
Goals Paris: Remili (8), Syprzak (6), Nikola Karabatic (5), Grebille (3), Prandi (3), Steins (2), Luka Karabatic (2), Kounkoud, Sole Sala
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Keeper Landin presented himself in world-class form, in front of him his teammates threw themselves into the throws of the guests, in their own attack the chances were used – especially by Magnus Landin and Harald Reinkind. The latter made it 26:23 (43rd) with his sixth goal.
Landin saves THW from progressing
But Paris did not let up, and so it came to a head. When the score was 32:31, Landin again prevented a goal from being conceded, Steffen Weinhold scored on the other side to make it 33:31. At 33:32 and the threat of time wasting, the “Zebras” missed the goal again.
PSG therefore regained possession and had a free throw four seconds before the end. A draw would have been enough for the French. But Landin was there, parried Luc Steins’ forearm throw – and the big THW party could begin.