Flensburg faces relegation imminently, while leading teams advance further.
Flensburg-Handewitt, the reigning champions of the Handball Bundesliga, commenced their season with an impressive display of goal scoring. The season's top duo, recovering from two disappointing losses in the Champions League, delivered with force.
In their opening games, the league champions, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, trounced HC Erlangen 42-28 and quickly followed it up with a 39-25 victory against TVB Stuttgart. These wins solidified their lead in the league with a perfect 4-0 record and the best goal difference. "Our performance was focused, especially in the first half," stated team captain Johannes Golla.
SC Magdeburg, last year's champions and cup winners, also showed their strength in a 32-26 win against HSV Hamburg. Despite struggling in the beginning and trailing 1:4, a 5-0 run allowed them to take the lead and maintain it until the break. The loss to Hungarian side Pick Szeged in the Champions League opener seemed to have little effect on their performance, as they picked up 4 points and moved along smoothly.
Catching up with the elite
The season's double winners, Magdeburg, led by left wing Matthias Musche's impressive nine-goal tally, secured their lead after the break. With an important 4-0 start, center back Gisli Kristjansson commented, "It's great to begin the season with four points. Our next match against THW Kiel is the first top game of the season."
Füchse Berlin faced a more challenging encounter against SC DHfK Leipzig, ultimately winning 37-32. World Handballer of the Year Mathias Gidsel led the scoring for the capital club with eight goals, while U21 World Champion Tim Freihofer continued to impress as a reliable finisher, contributing seven goals. Like Magdeburg, Füchse Berlin also suffered a close loss in the Champions League group stage start.
In their subsequent matches, Füchse Berlin managed to overcome their Champions League setback, also recording a perfect 4-0 start in the Bundesliga. Their next opponent, SC DHB, posed a formidable challenge but Berlin emerged victorious with a narrow 37-32 margin.
Following their Champions League defeat, SC DHB worked diligently to improve their form in the league. Despite the tough loss against Füchse Berlin, they showcased resilience and will look to build upon this performance in their upcoming matches.
