14 goals from Kirkelökke: Handball Lions win in Lisbon
The Rhein-Neckar Löwen have continued their winning streak in the European League. The Bundesliga handball team won 36:35 (19:15) at Benfica Lisbon on Tuesday for their third win in three games. Niclas Kirkelökke was the top scorer with 14 goals for the German cup winners, who had already beaten IFK Kristianstad and HBC Nantes. As the leaders of Group A, the team from Mannheim can seal their place in the main round as early as next week in the second leg against Benfica.
The Lions got off to a very weak start in Lisbon, trailing 4:8 after just 14 minutes. However, the visitors turned the game around thanks to the unerring Kirkelökke and substitute international Juri Knorr and led 19:15 at the break. After the break, the Bundesliga club even pulled 25:17 (38') ahead before bringing Benfica back into the game. Kirkelökke redeemed the two-time German champions with the winning goal shortly before the final whistle.
Source: www.dpa.com
