THW Kiel wins at Bergischer HC and is ready for the Final Four

AUDIO: THW Kiel wins safely at Bergischer HC (1 min)

by Florian Neuhauss

The Schleswig-Holsteiners have had a messed up season so far: only fifth in the Bundesliga and eliminated in the quarter-finals of the cup. The last chance for a title and thus possible qualification for the Champions League is next weekend.

At the Final Four of the European League in Hamburg, Jicha’s team will first face Montpellier HB. The winner of the duel MT Melsungen – SG Flensburg-Handewitt would wait in the final.

Results, table standings and match days at a glance.

Kiel only conceded seven goals before the break

The Kiel team couldn’t have had a better start to the game in front of over 7,000 spectators in the Düsseldorf Arena. When BHC coach Arnor Gunnarsson took his first timeout after eight minutes, the THW was already leading 6-1. Harald Reinkind and Lukas Zerbe each scored twice in the opening minutes. The Bergische Löwen subsequently bit into the game, but the “Zebras” did not allow them to get closer than three goals.

Because Andreas Wolff on the visitors’ side and Christopher Rudek from the home side showed why they are among the best keepers in the league, the game was low-scoring overall. However, Kiel made another sprint before the break and ultimately led by eight goals (15:7). The highlights were Zerbe’s goal to make it 13:7 (28th) from far from his own half into the empty goal and Eric Johansson’s forearm shot to make it half-time (30th).

Johansson nips BHC hopes in the bud

Aron Seesing twice and Noah Beyer – the Bergische came out of the locker room transformed and quickly reduced the deficit by three goals (33rd/10:15). But shortly afterwards the Schleswig-Holsteiners had already restored the old distance: Veron Nacinovic scored his first goal of the day to make it 18:10 (37th).

But it didn’t become clearer at first – also because the THW made life difficult for itself with time penalties. The guests had Johansson to thank for the fact that there was no tension again after Kreisrunner Seesing’s 14:19 (42′). The Swede smothered the Bergische’s hopes with two violent throws and a clever defensive action with which he provoked the offensive foul (21:15/44th).

Three minutes later, with Wolff also on the scoresheet, the score was 25:16 and the game was already decided. The BHC also had to overcome a double undernumber in the final phase. In the end it was a clear victory, which should give the Kiel team courage for the upcoming Final Four.

EHF European League

Reached the Final Four! And in a dramatic way! The “Zebras” kept their nerve in the seven-meter throw in the second leg against Nasice and will be in Hamburg at the end of May.