The German handball record champion THW Kiel secured third place at the Final Four for the European League in Hamburg. The Schleswig-Holsteiners won the “Little Finale” against the Bundesliga rival MT Melsungen on Sunday with 37:31 (18:18).
In the sixth meeting of both clubs this season, an increase in cover and a strong goalkeeper performance by Andreas Wolff after the change of sides, were decisive for the success of the “zebras”, which had been inferior to the French representative Montpellier in the preliminary round. 24 hours later, the North Germans impressively coped with the northern German against Melsungen.
WIENCEK: “Can say goodbye to me with a good feeling”
“The defeat yesterday was really hard, we had a lot of emotions to cope with and it was really not easy to get this performance on the field today,” said THW trainer Filip Jicha. For Patrick Wiencek it was a little happy end in his last international game. “It feels good that we won today. I really wanted to win my last European Cup game. We did that and I can say goodbye with a good feeling.”
Both teams offer fans Offensive spectacle
Despite the disappointment about the bitter semi-final bankruptcies, both teams brought a surprising amount of energy to the plate the day before. In the first section, the spectators in the multi-purpose hall in the Volkspark saw a speed and goal-rich duel that was under the motto: “Who doesn’t have, who wants again?”
Five goals had already been scored after just 120 seconds. The MT led 3-2, but then stayed without a sense of achievement for almost six minutes. The THW moved to 6: 3 with a 4-0 run, but soon gave up this lead again.
Jicha and Parrondo in Experimental mood
This was also due to the fact that Jicha experimented. Sometimes the Czech had his team without a circular runner, but with four back players. Then he sent two middle men to the plate at the same time. Jicha also had one or the other idea towards Roberto Garrondo, so the audience got some rather unusual moves.
THW Kiel – MT Melsungen 37:31 (18:18)
Tore THW Kiel: Madsen (12), Ellefsen (9), Imre (6/1 seven meters), Wiencek (3), Bilek (2), Landin (2), Duvnjak (1), Johansson (1), Kutz (1)
MT Melsungen: Drosten (6/1), Jonsson (5), Arnarsson (5), Cavalcanti (4), Enderleit (2), Ignatow (2), Moraes Ferreira (2), Barrufet Torrebejano (2), Balenciaga (1), Mandic (1), Svensson (1)
After all, the goals continued to fall like the frequently cited tire fruits. This gave the neutral handball fan a lot of fun. The goalkeepers of both teams, which had previously been almost no factor, have been pushing frustration at half -time. Wolff, who had replaced Tomas Mrkva after 20 minutes, had to sit on the bench after the break siren and take a deep breath.
Wolff becomes a marmot for Melsungen
After the change of sides, the marmot greeted for Melsungen. A marmot called Wolff. Because as in the final of the DHB Cup, when the 34-year-old had given the Hesse with 18 parades, the goalkeeper now grew beyond himself. Thanks to its parades and continued high efficiency in the attack, the Schleswig-Holsteiners were able to pull away to 27:22 (43.).
This laid the foundation for success. In the meantime, the MT was able to shorten the gap to three hits again. Wolff and the further weak cover performance left no more turn for the Hesse, in which the frustration was kept within limits.
Lichtlein: “If the defeat does not hang too high”
“Today we rotated a lot and gave people game practice who don’t usually play as much. That’s why I don’t hang the defeat so high today. The very focus is on Thursday,” said goalkeeper routinier Carsten Lichtlein with a view of the Bundesliga top game next Thursday at the Füchsen Berlin. The winner of the duel of the same team should have the best prospects in the title fight. “The pressure is at Berlin,” said Leichtlein.
The 44-year-old keeper had interrupted his handball pension a few weeks ago because the MT needed a replacement in the goalkeeper position after the cruciate ligament rupture at Nebojsa Simic. Now the world and European champion could even add the first championship title to his successful career. “Unlocked often,” said “Lütti” as he is called to his comeback. Could soon also apply to the championship win …
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Sports club | 25.05.2025 | 10:45 p.m.
