After a highly dramatic final, the Rhein-Neckar Löwen secured victory in the DHB Cup. The third goalkeeper David Späth was the match winner against SC Magdeburg.
The Löwen won on Sunday (April 16, 2023) in front of 19,750 fans in the sold-out Cologne Arena with 36:34 (16:13, 27:27, 31:31) after throwing seven meters.
Magdeburg cannot be shaken off for a long time
It was a highly dramatic final in which the Lions held a narrow lead for most of regular time. National keeper Joel Birlehm was in great form, especially in the first half, and Juri Knorr also put in a top performance after his crisis in recent weeks.
But Löwen could never really break away, Magdeburg always stayed within striking distance and four minutes before the end Gisli Kristjánsson went through even in the lead with 26:25. But the Löwen countered again, equalized through Knorr and made it 27:26 two minutes before the end with a penalty from Uwe Gensheimer.
Späth parries “Machtball” from Smits
Kay Smits had an answer again and seven seconds before the end of the seven-meter point the match point for Magdeburg. But David Späth, actually the third keeper of the lions, steered the ball around the post with his left calf.
In the extra time, the lions took this momentum with them, Späth parried the first throw and thus laid the foundation for the next intermediate sprint of the Bundesliga fifth. Jannik Kohlbacher, Olle Forsell-Schefvert and Gensheimer increased Rhein-Necker’s lead to 30:27, at the back Späth took out one Magdeburg shot after the other, including another seven-metre throw, this time by Matthias Musche.
Gensheimer forgives Jensen three times in a row
Daniel Pettersson shortened, Gensheimer made the apparent preliminary decision with 31:28 in the 68th minute. But like in the regular season, Magdeburg came back with incredible morale, also thanks to the outstanding Mike Jensen in goal.
Gensheimer stumbled in this phase, missed two seven meters and also a throw from the field. Thanks to Michael Damgaard, Lucas Meister and Smits with a seven-meter penalty when the game time had already expired, the 28:31 became 31:31 again. Birlehm then returned to the lion’s goal in a penalty throw and finally parried Kristjánsson’s decisive throw – then Albin Lagergren converted it to make it 36:24.
Flensburg clearly wins against Lemgo in the game for third place
SG Flensburg-Handewitt had previously secured third place against TBV Lemgo Lippe. Coach Maik Machulla’s team didn’t give Lemgo a chance at 28:23 (17:11) and at the same time put in a successful dress rehearsal for the upcoming quarter-final decision in the European League.
Teitur Örn Einarsson and Jim Gottfridsson were Flensburg’s best scorers with five goals each. Flensburg has no game in the first round of the 2023/24 DHB Cup and secured a bonus of 120,000 euros.
Finale between Löwen and Magdeburg live on the first
From 3.40 p.m. the Rhein-Neckar Löwen will play against SC Magdeburg, also in Cologne, in the final of the DHB Cup. The game will be broadcast live on the first and in the stream on sportschau.de.
Semifinals: Magdeburg defeats Lemgo, Löwen wins against Flensburg
The Rhein-Neckar Löwen clearly won the first semi-final against SG Flensburg-Handewitt on Saturday (04/15/2023) with 38:31 (19:13).
In the second semi-final, Magdeburg prevailed 33:31 (17:13) against TBV Lemgo Lippe.