Handball Bundesliga team SG Flensburg-Handewitt has reached the main round of the European League early.
The defending champions also won their fifth game in Group A, coach Ales Pajovic’s team beat Saint-Raphael Var HB 36:29 (17:15) in France and followed the three other German teams THW Kiel, MT Melsungen and TSV Hannover-Burgdorf into the next round.
Like Flensburg, Melsungen also remains immaculate. The North Hessians won Group E with 35:34 (18:15) against HF Karlskrona from Sweden.
New signing Reynir Thor Stefansson made his first appearance for the MT since his move in the summer, and the Icelandic backcourt talent fitted in well with five goals. The hosts’ best thrower was Ruben Marchan Criado with seven goals.
Like Kiel and Hannover-Burgdorf, Melsungen had already secured their ticket for the main round after the fourth group game. Flensburg also followed suit thanks to national player Marko Grgic, who scored ten goals on the Mediterranean coast. The first two teams in the eight groups of four reach the main round.