Title aspirant SG Flensburg-Handewitt started the new season in the Handball Bundesliga with an away win.
The team of trainer Maik Machulla won in front of 4189 spectators a 31:30 (17:13) victory at HSV Hamburg. Promoted VfL Gummersbach surprised with a 30:26 (13:12) at TBV Lemgo Lippe.
After some initial difficulties, the hosts from Hamburg got into the game better and kept the action open even after being four goals behind at the break. The game became more and more hectic as the game went on: Hamburg’s captain Niklas Weller saw the red card after an elbow blow to Jim Gottfridsson (42nd minute).
HSVH played the final seconds with a double deficit. Asat Waliullin’s last free throw landed in a block and the SG celebrated the narrow victory.
Flensburg is worried about Jakobsen
Bitter for Flensburg: Left winger Emil Jakobsen had to leave the field in the first half with a knee injury after an unfortunate collision with Hamburg’s Leif Tissier.
Last but not least, VfL Gummersbach only had a few problems with Lemgo thanks to eight goals from playmaker Dominik Mappes. TSV Hannover Burgdorf beat SC DHfK Leipzig 25:22 (15:10), HC Erlangen beat HSG Wetzlar 31:27 (16:13).