The prestigious, suspense-packed Final Four comes at just the right time. Last year there was already a bang in the semi-finals when record-holder Kiel (eleven titles) lost out against TBV Lemgo Lippe – after a seven-goal lead at half-time.
Still memorable for Niclas Ekberg. “I’ve been with THW since 2012. I can’t remember that we had such an encounter in this decade, regardless of the competition,” said the Swedish European champion. “That was unique. And please keep it unique.”
THW Kiel wants revenge against title defender Lemgo
As Losfee HSVH goalkeeper Johannes Bitter wanted, the first semi-final on Saturday is called THW Kiel against Lemgo again this year. “Of course it’s time for revenge with a little extra motivation,” said Ekberg, for whom such surprises are the salt in the cup soup: “Even if this defeat against Lemgo was extremely bitter for us, it showed it also what makes this Final Four format so appealing.”
Lemgos Zecher: “We will have to give more than 100 percent”
Lemgo completed the cup coup after the sensational win against the “Zebras” and then won the title in the final against Melsungen. “That memorable Final Four last year was the greatest thing of my career so far,” said Lemgo goalkeeper Finn Zecher.
The 21-year-old would have nothing against another “Kiel coup”. “Of course we’re outsiders again and of course we’re not without a chance either,” said Zecher. “But we will probably have to give practically more than 100 percent.”
Bitter: His team will have to do without captain Andrej Kogut against the favorites and for the entire cup weekend. The native Russian was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation as a late consequence of a corona infection.
SC Magdeburg – HC Erlangen in the live stream
In the second semi-final, the roles are even more clearly divided. Bundesliga leaders SC Magdeburg, who are clearly on course for the championship, meet the Final Four debutants and Bundesliga 13. HC Erlangen. On paper, an easy task for Magdeburg, who have been so strong this season. In the league, however, SCM only narrowly prevailed against Erlangen (28:27).
“We definitely want to have the championship title in the end, that’s the most important goal,” said President Dirk Roswandowicz to MDR. “Of course we’re happy to take the DHB Cup with us on the way there.”
Magdeburg on Sunday party stronghold?
The championship leader is very self-confident and can contribute to a dream weekend in Magdeburg. While the SCM may go home on Sunday with the DHB Cup in their luggage, the third division footballers of 1. FC Magdeburg can make the promotion to the second division perfect almost at the same time with a home win against Zwickau.
“We don’t want to do a harbor tour, we want to reach the final,” emphasized SCM Managing Director Marc-Henrik Schmedt. A harbor tour will no longer be an option for the final four participants from next year anyway – at most a boat tour across the Rhine. The final tournament for the DHB Cup is moving to Cologne after almost 30 years on the Elbe. After two years of the corona pandemic, handball has to look at its profitability more than ever.
HBL boss Bohmann: Farewell with a crying eye
“A hall with a capacity of 20,000 spectators offers completely different possibilities,” said HBL President Uwe Schwenker of the “Handball Week”. The arena at the Volkspark in Hamburg offers space for 13,000 fans. “Even if the decision was not easy, the prospect and expectation of significantly higher income is certainly understandable,” says Schwenker.
Also a sad day for Bohmann. “In Hamburg we celebrated a whole lot of lavish parties. Of course we have a crying eye,” said the HBL boss.
Source: NDR