Lasse Andersson (l) against Melsungen’s keeper Nebojsa Simic. The Berliner was the best thrower of the game with eleven hits Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Gora
By Nicolas Sowa
The Füchse Berlin remain the measure of all things in the handball Bundesliga and achieved their tenth win in their tenth game. The Berliners won the top game on Thursday evening against second-placed MT Melsungen with 37:31 (17:15).
The hosts’ best thrower in front of 9,000 spectators in the sold-out Max Schmeling Hall was Lasse Andersson with eleven goals. Timo Kastenig was the most successful at Melsungen with seven goals.
From the start it was an intense and fast game. Melsungen initially got off to a better start because they always found solutions in attack. The foxes, on the other hand, made a few missed throws and were initially only slightly behind.
Berlin’s Mathias Gidsel (l) is stopped by David Mandic von Melsungen Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Gora
In the 18th minute, Melsungen’s David Mandic was injured and had to be carried off the field. The Foxes then got into the game better, especially superstar Mathias Gidsel. And keeper Dejan Milosavljev also shone with a few saves. After almost 22 minutes, Lasse Andersson gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the game (13:12).
And the Berliners continued seamlessly after the break. With a 5:2 run they moved ahead to 22:17. But then they made some unusual technical errors, which Melsungen promptly punished and reduced the score to 22:23.
However, the Foxes showed strong nerves and, cheered on by the loud audience, increased their strength once again towards the end of the game. So it was a clear home win.