Without coach Filip Jicha due to illness, THW Kiel secured a draw in the Champions League duel against Aalborg Handbold. The German handball champion played against the Danish runner-up after a heart-stopping final 27:27 (17:13). Aalborg now remains one point behind Kiel in second place in Group A. In the first leg, the North Germans lost 18:27.
After recently fluctuating performances, the THW appeared solid in the first half and, above all, consistent in defense. National player Hendrik Pekeler and Co. went into the locker room with a lead of four goals. After the break, the Danes got back into the game thanks to a strong final phase. In the last minute, Mikkel Hansen even missed the home win when he missed a seven-meter penalty.
Last week, Pekeler heavily criticized his team after the home defeat against Aalborg. On Sunday, the “Zebras” inflicted their first league defeat of the season on Füchsen Berlin (30:26).