AUDIO: Flensburg wins a high-scoring game against Montpellier (1 min)
European League
As of: February 24, 2026 8:43 p.m
The handball players of SG Flensburg-Handewitt have preserved their chances of making it directly to the quarter-finals of the European League. The North Germans won at home against Montpellier HB on Tuesday evening with 40:35 (21:20).
After the second day of the main round, SG coach Ales Pajovic’s team now has 6:2 points in Group 1. She had two wins against Bidasoa Irun (Spain) from the preliminary round. The group winners move straight into the quarter-finals, the second and third placed teams still complete play-offs.
The SG botched the start of the main round a week ago. The Flensburg team suffered a home defeat in the 114th state derby against their eternal rival THW Kiel, who still plays in Irun. For the Flensburg team there is a quick reunion with Montpellier: next Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) the Pajovic team will be visiting the southern French city.
SG professional Volz was outstanding in the first half
God knows the spectators in the Flensburg Arena couldn’t complain about too few goals in the opening quarter of an hour. However, when the score was 10:11 (15th), Coach Pajovic had enough. He hit the buzzer and took his first timeout. The 47-year-old lacked defensive access – and that was clearly the case. Behind the 6-0 defense, which didn’t act decisively enough, it wasn’t easy for goalkeeper Kevin Möller to stop the French’s throws at his goal.
Pajovic changed positions: the Bosnian Benjamin Buric moved between the posts for the 37-year-old Dane, who is returning home to GOG Gudme after this season. At the break the North Germans led 21:20. Left winger Patrick Volz played a big part in this, as he put all of his six throws into the opponent’s goal.
The mood in the arena was depressed despite the many goals. Due to a medical emergency, no music was played and the SG fans stopped providing active support.
Buric becomes Flensburg’s support
Almost every shot at goal was a goal – and that’s how it continued after the restart. And the third-place team in the Bundesliga continued to have a hard time against the third-place team in the French Star League, who impressed with their quick attacks and directness. A quarter of an hour before the final siren it was 31:31 – everything was open.
Just a few minutes later, however, the hosts led 34:31 thanks to a 3-0 run. Aksel Horgen had won a ball well, and Buric also parried a seven-meter penalty from Benjamin Richert. That was the decisive step in winning the two points. Because even after that, Buric could be relied on. The French tried their best, but the SG didn’t let them get any closer.
Volz maintained his 100 percent throw rate: all nine throws found their target. He was also the most successful Flensburg player.
