THW Kiel is still having a hard time finding its way into the 2023/24 season. After a mixed start in the handball Bundesliga, the team was also eliminated from the DHB Cup.
Already in the 3rd round on Tuesday (October 3rd, 2023), the “Zebras” surprisingly lost to their Bundesliga competitor HSG Wetzlar with 31:32 (17:19). Domen Novak was the match winner for the currently second-to-last team in the Bundesliga with nine goals alongside goalkeeper Till Klimpke (14 saves).
After a decent start, Kiel was constantly chasing a deficit from the middle of the half. At halftime he had two goals at 17:19. The game remained close in the second half, but Kiel was never able to assert itself decisively against the very committed guests.
Duvnjak hit is no longer enough
The preliminary decision was made almost two minutes before the final siren, when Wetzlar’s second goalkeeper Analdin Suljakovic parried a throw from Kiel’s most successful thrower Eric Johansson (seven goals) and in return Ole Klimpke increased the score to 32:30. Domagoj Duvnjak scored with 70 seconds left to make it 31:32, but Wetzlar took the lead home.
For Kiel, the bumpy start to the season continues, at least nationally. In the Bundesliga, the “Zebras” recently suffered their third defeat in their sixth game, 31:34 at SC Magdeburg. In the Champions League, however, Kiel still has a clean slate in the group phase with three wins from three games.
Gummersbach confidently
VfL Gummersbach showed no weaknesses. Oberbergische won against third division team Interaktiv Handball Ratingen/Düsseldorf with 44:27 (23:10). Tilen Kodrin was Gummersbach’s best thrower with 14 hits in 14 attempts.