All Bundesliga contenders for a place in the European Handball League have failed. Fifth-placed Frisch Auf Göppingen, sixth-placed HSG Wetzlar and eighth-placed Rhein-Neckar Löwen suffered defeats.
Göppingen lost to newly promoted HSV Hamburg 24:28 (10:13), Wetzlar had to admit defeat to HC Erlangen 26:30 (9:15). The lions lost 23:24 (13:14) at TBV Lemgo Lippe.
Above all, Frisch Auf missed the great opportunity to set themselves apart from the competition with a largely disappointing performance. The Swabians didn’t even benefit from a red card against Hamburger Lukas Ossenkopp (24th minute).
The hosts failed too often due to HSVH keeper Johannes Bitter, who made twelve saves. Casper Mortensen scored the goal to make it 21:14 for the guests with a backhand throw (43rd). Bitter for Göppingen: National player Sebastian Heymann had to leave the field early with an injury.
In the relegation battle, HBW Balingen-Weilstetten suffered a bitter 27:31 (13:16) defeat at TSV Hannover-Burgdorf. In the 53rd minute, the Balingen team were still level at 25:25.