Defending champions SC Magdeburg and the Rhein-Neckar Löwen have achieved their next victories in the handball Bundesliga. Coach Bennet Wiegert’s team defeated outsiders Frisch Auf Göppingen with 31:24 (16:11). The Lions around national player Juri Knorr struggled against HSV Hamburg to a 30:27 (16:13) and are now third in the table.
The victory brings Magdeburg closer to the top group of the league and has only collected one minus point more than league leaders Flensburg. Ex-national player Philipp Weber was back on the floor for the first time since his adductor injury. The Elbestadt team were stable in defense, but the cup winners left a lot behind in attack in the early stages. Nevertheless, the victory was never in danger. Also because goalkeeper Sergey Hernández shone with 15 saves.
Two top games on the weekend
The Rhein-Neckar Lions made things unnecessarily exciting with their fourth win of the season. After a strong opening phase and many saves from national goalkeeper David Späth, Mannheim gave up a five-goal lead. Hamburg came within one goal in the first game after Johannes Bitter’s retirement. When the game threatened to tip over, keeper Mikael Appelgren became the match winner for the Lions.
Magdeburg will continue in the Champions League against the Polish club Industria Kielce on Thursday. At the weekend, league leaders SG Flensburg-Handewitt await in the top game of the Bundesliga. The Rhein-Neckar Löwen also face a difficult duel with runner-up Füchse Berlin.