Flensburg, who handed league leaders SC Magdeburg a big advantage in the title race with their fourth defeat, now have to worry about holding on to second place, which guarantees a spot in the Champions League. The competition will expand from 16 to 24 teams next season, and it’s expected that the Handball Bundesliga (HBL) will secure a third fixed spot.
Match Center: Kiel vs. Flensburg
"For me, it’s the biggest game there is in handball," said Kiel’s managing director Viktor Szilagyi ahead of the match. And the THW players, led by national team goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, started the match very determined. The SG goalkeepers managed to save just five shots in the first half, allowing Kiel to build and maintain a comfortable lead.
Möller’s outstanding performance is not enough for Flensburg
An incredible 14 goals from backcourt star Lasse Möller did little for SG, while five Kiel players scored at least five goals each, including European vice-champion Lukas Zerbe (6).
At the bottom of the table, HSG Wetzlar showed signs of life. The previous bottom team won away at fellow relegation-threatened TSV GWD Minden 33-31 (11:15). Although the Hessians remain in the relegation zone, they have reduced the gap to Minden and the safety line to just two points.