The Rhein-Neckar Löwen are still fully involved in the title race of the Handball Bundesliga – but they had to show strong nerves in the next mandatory win.
The Mannheimers won the difficult away game on the 21st match day at European League participants Frisch Auf Göppingen 27:25 (13:14) and drew level with leaders Füchse Berlin (35 points) overnight. The Berliners play against Melsungen on Sunday (2 p.m. / Sky).
The Göppingen team was still in the lead with three goals twelve minutes before the end (21:18), but failed too often in the final phase due to national goalkeeper Joel Birlehm and their own technical errors.
In the last minute, Kresimir Kozina brought the hosts within a goal, but Niclas Kirkelokke made everything clear for the lions at the other end. The best thrower of the guests was the Swede Albin Lagergren with seven goals.
FA Göppingen – Rhein-Neckar Löwen 25:27 (14:13). – Goals: Sarac (6 goals), Schiller (5/1 penalty), Schmidt (4), Kozina (3), Malus (3), Kneule (2), Gulliksen (2) for Göppingen – Lagergren (7/2) , Vest Kirkelokke (4), Knorr (4/2), Helander (3), Nilsson (3), Kohlbacher (3), Groetzki (2), Schefvert (1) for Rhine-Neckar.