The Rhein-Neckar Löwen handball team easily qualified for the round of 16 in the DHB Cup with a 36:27 (16:15) victory over Bundesliga rivals SC DHfK Leipzig.
The Mannheimers will now meet in the next round on 21./22. December away to MT Melsungen. The last round of 16 will be determined on November 22 between champions SC Magdeburg and Bergisches HC.
In the duel between Leipzig and the Lions, the hosts held up well for half-time in front of 3,853 spectators in the first game after coach André Haber was released. Only after the change did the second-placed Bundesliga player from Mannheim live up to their role as favorites and finally landed an undisputed success. Best pitcher for the winner was right winger Patrick Groetzki with nine goals. Viggó Kristjánsson scored eight goals for Leipzig.