Fifth victory: Lions also defeat Kristianstad
The Rhein-Neckar Löwen remain unbeaten in the European League. On Tuesday, the German handball team defeated the Swedish champions IFK Kristianstad 36:28 (17:14) and celebrated their fifth win in five games. In the final preliminary round match at HBC Nantes next week, the team from Mannheim will be competing for first place in the tough Group A. Even before the game against Kristianstad, the Lions could no longer be denied a place in the main round.
In front of 2008 spectators in Heidelberg, Jon Lindenchrone was the top scorer with seven goals for Sebastian Hinze's team, who initially rested numerous regular players such as German internationals Juri Knorr and Jannik Kohlbacher. Yet even without the two key players, the Lions quickly pulled 11:5 ahead in the 14th minute, although the cup winners only led 17:14 at the break after a number of technical mistakes.
The Lions stabilized after the break, which was also due to the substitution of Knorr. He scored four of the home side's first five goals to make it 22:18 (37'), after which they extended their lead again and went on to win comfortably.
The Rhine-Neckar Lions' victory over IFK Kristianstad further solidifies their dominance in the European League's Group A, making it five wins out of five games for the German handball team. With their strong performance, the Rhine-Neckar Lions have already secured their spot in the main round of the European League, even prior to their upcoming match against HBC Nantes in the final preliminary round.
Source: www.dpa.com
