AUDIO: THW Kiel reaches final of the European League (1 min)
European League Handball
As of: May 30, 2026 8:35 p.m
With a lot of heart, morale and an outstanding Andreas Wolff in goal, THW Kiel reached the final of the Final Four tournament for the European League in Hamburg. In a semi-final thriller, the “Zebras” beat Montpellier HB 29:28 (15:12) on Saturday afternoon and will now face MT Melsungen.
A goal from the backcourt 15 seconds before the end by Eric Johansson ensured the decision in favor of coach Filip Jicha’s team. Wolff then held on to the narrow victory with two saves. The veteran was then buried by his overjoyed teammates.
Thanks to their success in an exciting, but not always high-class game, the “Zebras”, who failed early in the DHB Cup and were only in fifth place in the Bundesliga, had the chance to save their messed up season so far on Sunday with another win in the final (6 p.m., in the live center at NDR.de).
First big title for Melsungen?
There, coach Filip Jicha’s team will face Melsungen, which defeated SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the second semi-final duel with 37:30 (15:14), thus preventing the North German team from scoring a hat-trick of titles. The Hessians, fourth in the Final Four last year, can fulfill their dream of the first major title in the club’s history with a win.
“We’re just happy that we can play a European final against one of the biggest clubs in the world – THW Kiel. I have the feeling that after the game against Flensburg everyone thought: That wasn’t it yet. Now we finally want to get it,” said Melsungen’s right winger Timo Kastening in an interview with NDR.
Zerbe: “The game was a roller coaster ride”
“Tomorrow it’s not the strength that counts, but only who wants more. And we’re playing the final to win,” said Kiel’s right winger Luka Zerbe to NDR. The national player was exhausted but happy after the hard-fought success: “The game felt like a roller coaster ride again. But we knew from the start that it would be a very, very close game. We stayed cool. And we know what kind of goalkeepers we have in our ranks – that they can always spark things. And today we also have to thank Andi at the end.”
THW keeper becomes “problem Wolff” for Montpellier
On the digital display boards around the parquet of the multi-purpose hall in the Volkspark, a tiger – the logo and namesake of an ointment – kept lighting up, and Wolff, praised by Zerbe, was up to mischief on the panel. At least from the perspective of Montpellier. Because the newly crowned French Cup winner failed again and again due to Kiel keeper Andreas Wolff, who made it clear from the start with his body language and his saves that he absolutely wanted to reach the final.
THW keeper Andreas Wolff drove Montpellier to despair from the start.
At the back, the national goalkeeper nailed down the box – and at the front, his teammates got rid of the frustration they had built up from the sobering season. Especially in the circle, things went like clockwork for the Schleswig-Holstein team in the first section.
Kiel is now five goals ahead
After an even first 15 minutes, the “Zebras” were able to pull ahead with five goals (15:10/25.). In the final phase of the first section the lead dwindled to “only” three goals. Overall, the Kiel team showed an appealing performance.
The truth, however, also included three missed seven-meter penalties by Montpellier and some missed throws by the French that are rarely seen at this level. There was undoubtedly still room for improvement for the two-time Champions League winners before the start of the second half.
THW suddenly trailed by two goals
It was difficult to keep the Kiel team away: Montpellier’s Bryan Hugo Monte dos Santos (M.).
And after the break, coach Érick Mathé’s team also knew how to improve. Montpellier missed a seven-meter number four at the start of the second half. Afterwards, the equalizer was achieved with a 3-0 run to make it 16:16 (37th), before the French even took the lead with two goals shortly afterwards (41st).
Jicha took a timeout and brought in a seventh field player for keeper Wolff. “We have to get the run-ins a little quicker,” the coach demanded of his protégés, who had gotten themselves into trouble, particularly due to technical errors.
Johansson scores the victory seconds before the end
The short break and the tactical trick brought about the hoped-for turnaround. The “Zebras” then acted again with more speed and force and took a three-goal lead (24:21/49.). While the THW was now back in the flow, Montpellier seemed to have to pay tribute to its exhausting tempo game. In the meantime, the Mathé team hardly found any solutions in attack against the strongly defending Kiel team.
But in the final phase, the French mobilized their last strength once again, equalized to 28:28 (58th) and then had the chance to take the lead while in possession of the ball. However, Bryan Hugo Monte dos Santos made a bad pass, so the THW came into attack. And 15 seconds before the end, Johansson threw the ball into the net to give Kiel the lead again.
But the Swede had to share the hero role with his keeper. As soon as the final siren sounded, Wolff fended off two shots from close range and secured his team’s place in the finals.
