The first title has come, follow more? After winning the DHB Cup, the handball players of the THW Kiel can now return to the title race with a win against Bundesliga leader Füchse Berlin-or say goodbye. And then there is also the European League.
Special events require special measures: Actually, the “zebras” had planned to return to Kiel on Sunday evening after the final Four in Cologne. After the convincing 28:23 final victory against Melsungen, the Schleswig-Holsteiners threw this plan over the pile. Instead, the team and coaching team, supervisory staff, families and friends celebrated the 13th trophy triumph until the evening in a brewery in Cologne-Deutz.
“That’s how it is in the Bundesliga. On Sunday you win the trophy, on Wednesday you play against Berlin.”
– Kiel’s goalkeeper Andreas Wolff
At 10 p.m. there was a zapfenstreich. Left -wing Rune Dahmke had announced immediately after the game to “celebrate with an eye”. Not only because of the return trip – on Monday morning it went north at 9 a.m.
While in football the cup final at the national level is the crowning glory every year, there is hardly any time to celebrate in handball: already tonight (7 p.m.) the Kieler in the handball Bundesliga will receive leader Fuchse Berlin for the next top game.
THW Kiel “inspires at the moment”
And the THW senses morning air in an actually mixed season. “A victory gives you energy and two victories at the Final Four inspire you at the moment,” said coach Filip Jicha. With a win, the Kielers could move to the foxes to two points.
However, in MT Melsungen and TSV Hannover-Burgdorf there are not only two other teams in front of the THW in the table. The currently sixth -placed defending champion SC Magdeburg has played three games less than all competitors in the fight for international starting places – and currently three minus points less than Kiel.
Zerbe: “The mood is great”
It has to be a win. A tie against Berlin is likely to let the 24th German championship move in unreachable distant distant. Win the “zebras”, keep in touch. In addition, a success against the leader – in order to stay in Jicha – would continue to inspire the Kielers.
This is how it also sees right wing Lukas Zerbe: “Of course, the strength tasted the weekend, but having taken the trophy to Kiel is simply beautiful. Title always helps to build self-confidence. The mood is accordingly great,” the 29-year-old told the NDR.
Title in the European League also possible
A mission has already been fulfilled: the outgoing club icon Patrick Wiencek, who ends the career after this season, will retire with a title. Accordingly, the triumph of the THW in Cologne was celebrated, with “Bam Bam” in the front row.
But no matter how the Bundesliga top game ends, in the European League, further title is possible this season. In the quarterfinals (April 22/29) against the French team Limoges Handball, the ticket for the Final Four in Hamburg (May 24th and 25th).
Tuesday in Kiel Intunning to the top game against Berlin
But first of all, the full concentration applies to the Bundesliga top game against Berlin, which in Hannover-Burgdorf already has the next hit in front of the chest on Sunday. In its own hall, the THW most recently beat Hannover-Burgdorf (28:24), Magdeburg (31:25) and Melsungen (35:24).
“We go into the game with a lot of confidence and have to put such a good defense and goalkeeper again.”
-THW professional Lukas Zerbe
After arriving in Kiel-Altenholz on Monday afternoon, the team was allowed to go home right away. Jicha released his protégés. The focus on the foxes was on the agenda for Tuesday: with the final training and a team meeting including video analysis of the opponent. Sometimes special events also require normal measures.
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Sport Current | 04/16/2025 | 7:17 p.m.
