Despite personnel worries, the German handball record champion THW Kiel took revenge in Group B of the Champions League against HBC Nantes. After the 30:38 in the first leg, the “Zebras” won on Thursday evening in their own arena 37:33 (20:18).
After five consecutive games without a win, THW Kiel has again won a preliminary round game in Group B. However, the first two ranks, which entitle you to a direct entry into the quarter-finals, should no longer be achievable. For the Schleswig-Holsteiners, it’s about finishing third if possible in order to then face a nominally easier opponent in the round of 16. Nantes occupies that third place, but the lead over THW is now only four points.
“Of course we are very happy that we took the two points with us – especially after the game we played in Nantes,” said Nikola Bilyk, who was the most successful Kieler with ten goals, the NDR. There are still five game days left. One more this year: Next Thursday, the people of Kiel will be guests at Aalborg AB Handbold.
THW slowly at first, then with more conviction
The “Zebras” started against Nantes in a similar way to how they did in the most recent Bundesliga encounter at HSG Wetzlar. Everything seemed orderly, they played very well, but there was a lot missing: there was no fire in their actions, no passion to be seen. Apparently THW trainer Filip Jicha felt the same way. The Czech reacted early, called a time-out after twelve minutes when the score was 6:7 and urged his players to act with more conviction from now on.
THW Kiel – HBC Nantes 37:33 (20:18)
Goals Kiel: Bilyk 10, Wallinius 7, Pekeler 5, Dahmke 3, Sagosen 3, Reinkind 2, Zarabec 2, Överby 2, Ekberg 1/1, Fraatz 1, Wiencek 1
Gates of Nantes: Briet 6, Odriozola 4, Ovnicek 4, Rivera Folch 4, Toto 4, Cavalcanti 3, Persson 3, Maqueda Peno 2, De la Breteche 1, Marchan Criado 1, Portela 1
Viewers: 6.204
penalty minutes: 10/8
At first, however, the plan didn’t work out. The French enjoyed their first two-goal lead a little later with the 9:7. But then the THW, now with Tomas Mrkva between the posts, got going better: From a 10:11 he made a 13:11 lead with a 3:0 run (18th). At the break it was 20:18 – and that was significantly better than in the first leg in Nantes, where Kiel went into the dressing room with a 15:20.
Kiel fights for the two points
The second leg remained a tight affair for a long time even after the restart. But when Hendrik Pekeler made it 34:31 (54 th ) with a dive, it looked pretty good for winning the two points. Niklas Landin, who came into the THW goal, wasn’t really a support either, but it was enough. Left winger Rune Dahmke made it 36:32 with a nice spin two minutes before the final siren – that was the decision.
This topic in the program:
NDR 2 Sports | 08.12.2022 | 11:03 p.m
