DRAMA IN KIEL: Last-second winner ruled out after video review
The 117th North German derby between THW Kiel and SG Flensburg-Handewitt produced a spectacular finish as the two Bundesliga giants shared the points in a 31:31 draw.
Kiel looked set to celebrate a dramatic victory when Julian Köster scored with virtually the final action of the match. However, after a lengthy video review, the referees ruled the goal out because of a travelling violation by Domen Makuc earlier in the attack. The decision left the final score at 31:31.
THW had controlled large parts of the match and led 18:14 at half-time, but Flensburg managed to erase the deficit in the second half and take a valuable point from Kiel.
Makuc was the outstanding scorer with nine goals, while Lukas Madsen and Lukas Zerbe added five each. Andreas Wolff recorded 12 saves for Kiel.
For Flensburg, Simon Pytlick and August Pedersen Minne scored seven goals each, while Benjamin Burić made eight saves and Kevin Møller added seven.
THW KIEL – SG FLENSBURG-HANDEWITT 31:31 (18:14)
Kiel: Wolff 12 saves, Perez de Vargas; Makuc 9, Madsen 5, Zerbe 5/2, Johansson 4, Dahmke 2, Reinkind 1, Köster 1, Ankermann 1, Pekeler 1, Skipagötu 1, Nacinovic 1.
Flensburg: Burić 8/1 saves, Møller 7/1; Pytlick 7, Minne 7, Grgić 4, Jakobsen 4/3, Novak 4, Kirkeløkke 2, Bergholt 2, Blagotinšek 1.
Löwen take revenge on Melsungen
Rhein-Neckar Löwen beat MT Melsungen 30:28 (12:11) in Mannheim, only a few days after losing to the same opponent in the German Cup.
Goalkeeper David Späth played a major role in the victory. He had already saved 45 percent of the shots he faced by half-time, including two seven-metre throws, as Löwen took a narrow 12:11 advantage into the break.
The hosts stayed in front during the decisive stages and held their nerve when Melsungen closed the gap to one goal late in the match. A crucial steal by Robert Timmermeister and the following goal from Niclas Mierzwa sealed the 30:28 win.
RHEIN-NECKAR LÖWEN – MT MELSUNGEN 30:28 (12:11)
Melsungen: Simić 11 saves, Palasics; Mensing 5, Balenciaga 4, Stefansson 4, Sipos 3, Golla 3, Ignatow 2, Drosten 2/1, Sigrist 2, Mandić 1, Dujshebaev 1, Schefvert 1.
Magdeburg back to winning ways
SC Magdeburg responded to their first Bundesliga defeat of the season with a convincing 33:24 (16:11) home victory over newly promoted SG BBM Bietigheim.
Magdeburg took control before half-time and effectively decided the contest immediately after the break, extending the lead to 19:11 in the 33rd minute. The hosts remained comfortably ahead until the end to record their fifth Bundesliga victory of the season.
SC MAGDEBURG – SG BBM BIETIGHEIM 33:24 (16:11)
Magdeburg: Mandić 8 saves, Kuzmanović 5; Musche 5/2, Serradilla 5, Kristjansson 4, Lagergren 4, Magnusson 4/1, Rasmussen 4, Weber 3, Saugstrup 2, Bergendahl 2.
Bietigheim: Tomovski 16 saves; Josef 5, Wiederstein 5, Pfeifer 4/3, Fischer 3, Larson 2, Strosack 2, Norrbrink 1, Nicolaus 1, M’Bengue 1.
After six rounds, Flensburg and Kiel remain unbeaten on 11 points, with Magdeburg right behind them on 10.
