The favorites fulfill their duty: The Füchse Berlin moved into the quarter-finals of the DHB Cup with a clear victory.
The title candidate won against second division team SG BBM Bietigheim with 42:33 (19:16). HSV Hamburg also solved their round of 16 challenge after long difficulties and won against ThSV Eisenach 31:28 (14:16), MT Melsungen prevailed at DHfK Leipzig with 27:21 (14:12).
After an even opening minute, Berlin made things clear from the middle of the first half. After a goal from Lasse Andersson, the favorites led by five goals for the first time (23rd), but Bietigheim shortened the lead again until the break.
In the second half it quickly became clear, with an 8:3 run the Füchse made it 30:22 (43rd) and decided the game early. As in the 29:29 against Frisch Auf Göppingen on Sunday, the Dane Mathias Gidsel was the outstanding man, he scored eleven times.
The Melsungers, who were still a stumbling block for SC Magdeburg in the league on Sunday, had few problems against Bundesliga rivals Leipzig over 60 minutes. In the early stages, Melsungen took the lead and threatened to pull away; a 4-0 run by Leipzig brought them back within striking distance at the break. In the second half, the guests decided the game thanks to their strong defense, while Ivan Martinovic excelled in attack with his seven goals.
Hamburg had more difficulties against Bundesliga second-to-last Eisenach. After an early four-goal lead, HSV lost track and deservedly trailed at halftime. However, led by the accurate duo Casper Mortensen and Dani Baijens (eight goals each), Hamburg made it to the quarter-finals with a strong second half.