Flensburg bounce back to beat valiant Besiktas

The clash between SG Flensburg-Handewitt and Besiktas JK was not what one might have expected, given the gulf in class and stature between the two teams. The fixture produced an enthralling contest thanks to the Turkish side’s brave resistance against their more heralded rivals.

SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) vs Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) 33:25 (16:14)

Anyone who might have been looking forward to an out-and-out whitewash in this encounter must have been in for a nasty shock after Besiktas came storming out to take an early 5:1 lead against Flensburg, with the home side rocked by the visitors’ courageous approach.

Led by Nemanja Pribak and the versatile Ramazan Döne, Besiktas stunned the home side and silenced the vociferous home crowd before Flensburg roared back to take control of the game.

The element of surprise was gone after the home team’s winger Anders Eggert Jensen started exploiting gaps in the Turkish side’s defence, showing ruthless efficiency to convert fast breaks and turn the tide in the closing stages of the first half.

The game appeared to be over as a contest when Flensburg romped into a 20:16 lead early in the second half but the visitors refused to roll over and slashed the deficit to 21:20.

It turned out to be their last roar, however, as a 7:1 run allowed the home side to pull away and secure their third win in five games, moving up the ladder in what is turning out to be a ferociously competitive section.

The effervescent Eggert Jensen finished as the game’s top scorer with 10 goals from 11 shots, while Döne netted seven and Pribak added six at the other end.