As of: December 20, 2025 10:52 p.m
The German handball record champion THW Kiel has suffered another disappointment. Two days after being eliminated from the DHB Cup, the “Zebras” failed to score more than 29:29 (14:16) in the Bundesliga home game against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf.
Due to the draw on the 18th matchday of the Handball Bundesliga, the Kiel team now have 25:9 points in their account. The gap to second-placed SG Flensburg-Handewitt has increased to two points thanks to their win at Frisch Auf Göppingen. TSV Hannover-Burgdorf truly deserved this point. The “warriors” were looked after by assistant coach Heidmar Felixson – the Icelander took over the responsible position for the ill head coach Christian Prokop.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to complain about a point in Kiel,” said TSV playmaker Leif Tissier in an interview with NDR. “We’re getting better and better now. We want to build on that against Minden again and then go into the winter break with a clear conscience.”
Kiel’s pivot Lukas Laube did not hide his disappointment: “Every loss of a point is one loss of points too many. Nothing is lost yet. Our goal is to qualify for the Champions League and we will stick to that for as long as we can.”
For the people of Kiel, the hunt for appointments before Christmas is not over yet, one task still remains – it is the ultimate one of this season. On Tuesday (7 p.m., in the live center at NDR.de) the THW will play against the sovereign front runners SC Magdeburg – it is a catch-up game from the sixth match day.
Top talent anchorman in THW starting lineup
Two days after the cup exit in Berlin, Jicha surprised with a courageous decision: he put Rasmus Ankermann, who was only 18 years old, in the starting line-up. The native of Kiel took over the position in the left backcourt. He replaced the powerful Swede Eric Johansson, who was suffering from muscle stiffness – and the youngster immediately did really well. Ankermann played bravely and scored his first goal after four minutes (2:1).
As well as the “Zebras” started under the eyes of national coach Alfred Gislason, the reaction of the “Recken” was just as strong. In particular, the hosts couldn’t get August Pedersen under control. The left winger put each of his four throws into the THW goal in the first ten minutes.
“Rocks” take advantage of the gaps in THW coverage
After a quarter of an hour, Tissier ruthlessly revealed that Kiel’s defense was not very compact when he took the lead to 10:8. Through a simple physical illusion, he created such a big gap that it looked as if the Kiel team were playing outnumbered – which was not the case. When Tissier soon made it 12:9 (22nd), Jicha took his first time out.
But the effect wasn’t too big. His team continued to make too many technical errors afterwards. Once again it was Tissier who scored the 16:14 after a nice crossing one second before the half-time siren. Ankermann was one after the half with a shooting rate of 100 percent: three attempts, three hits.
Kiel manages a 5-0 run,…
Despite his good performance in the first half, the injured Johansson was on the pitch after the restart. When Kiel’s playmaker Elias Ellefsen a Skipagötu scored the 17:17 (35th), it seemed as if the “Zebras” were now on track. But once again the reaction of the “warriors” was impressive. With a 4-0 run they quickly drove Jicha into the next timeout.
The Czech was angry, spoke emotionally to his players, demanded passion from his team and switched to a 7:6 majority on offense and a very high 3-2-1 formation in defense. The measures took effect: THW even managed a 5-0 run, Lukas Zerbe made it 22:21 (43rd).
…but the “warriors” don’t let up
But the guests were by no means shaken off. One minute before the end everything was open at 28:28. Kiel was in possession of the ball. Johansson took responsibility and it paid off – he scored to make it 29:28. One second before the end of the game, TSV right winger Daniel Weber was denied by the strong THW keeper Andreas Wolff, but the referees watched the scene again on the screen.
Seven meters after video evidence – Pedersen lets TSV celebrate
Johansson had shortened the throwing angle by taking quick steps. He wasn’t standing in the circle. Weber stepped on the Kieler’s foot when he jumped – the referees therefore decided on a seven-meter penalty. At the end of the game, Pedersen took a seven-meter penalty and made it 29:29. As in the DHB Cup game in Berlin, the Kiel team once again felt disadvantaged by the referees.
