After the lesson in Magdeburg, MT Melsungen struggled to a mandatory victory in the Handball Bundesliga (HBL) against Bergischen HC, who were in danger of relegation. Five days after beating the champions (24:39), Melsungen won 31:26 (14:14) and at least temporarily overtook THW Kiel in fourth place. The game was even until 23:23, then the hosts pulled away.
For Melsungen, which suffered its first defeat in the first leg at Bergischer HC after the best start to the season in the club’s history, the Spaniard Erik Balenciaga (7) scored most often. Latvia’s Dainis Kristopans (6) also played well. Eloy Morante Maldonado was successful five times for the team from Solingen and Wuppertal.
In the second game on Friday evening, HC Erlangen collected important points for staying in the league by beating HSV Hamburg 30:28 (15:12). HSV, on the other hand, is still in acute danger with just one point ahead of Bergischer HC and ThSV Eisenach in the first relegation zone. Former world champion Casper Mortensen was the best scorer of the game with nine goals, but even the Dane couldn’t prevent Hamburg from losing.
MT Melsungen – Bergischer HC 31:26 (14:14). – Goals: Balenciaga Azcue (7/2 seven meters), Kristopans (6), Jonsson (5), Kühn (4), Mandic (2), Arnarsson (2), Kastening (2), Aho (1), Drosten (1 /1), Moraes Ferreira (1) for Melsungen – Morante Maldonado (5), Ladefoged (4), Stutzke (4), Arnesson (3/2), Fraatz (3), Krecic (2), Nothdurft (2), Beyer (1/1), M’Bengue (1), Andersen (1) for the BHC. – Viewers: 4491.