Frisch Auf Göppingen celebrated a prestige success at the end of the preliminary round of the European League, but missed out on winning the group.
The Bundesliga handball team beat the top French club and leaders Montpellier HB 27:25 (14:11) and celebrated their eighth win in ten games.
To win the group, Göppingen, who had already qualified for the round of 16, would have needed a nine-goal win against the French due to the direct comparison.
The best pitcher in Göppingen was Marcel Schiller with seven goals. In the round of the top 16, the Bundesliga club meets Valur Reykjavik from Iceland. In the evening, the league rivals Füchse Berlin and SG Flensburg-Handewitt, who have also already qualified for the round of 16, are in action. The Final Four tournament will take place on 27/28. May at the Flensburgers.