Flensburg take points off Szeged to move third

The German powerhouse claimed an important yet hard-fought win at home after a tough battle to go third in Group B. Szeged had an ideal opportunity to put PSG under pressure in the race for first place in the group and a direct quarter-final entry ahead of the weekend, but failed to build on their weekend performance.  

• Flensburg took revenge after the 30:28 loss in the reverse fixture in Szeged
• The German team lead 3:1 in the head-to-head against Szeged
• Szeged are now 2-0-3 on the road, Flensburg 3-0-2 at home
• Flensburg go third, Szeged remain second with PSG having one game in hand

GROUP D

SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) vs MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 27:25 (14:14)

The full Flens-Arena witnessed a handball masterclass from both teams ahead of the winter break. Great goals, spectacular saves, two tactically masterful coaches – the kind of handball you must enjoy watching at this level. 

Both teams kept each other within touching distance in the first half. Two goals was the maximum difference between the sides. Attacking handball prevailed though.

Both Mirko Alilovic and Torbjørn Bergerud had a difficult task but stood reliable in the goal with some crucial saves in both halves. Perhaps even more so after the break the goalkeepers proved their worth, when the match reached its climax.  Bergerud especially was excellent, showing quick reflex saves, good reading of the game and a calm head when it mattered most.

It was the Scandinavian trio and a young German star that kept Szeged´s defence busy. Rasmus Lauge from the back court and Magnus Joendal from the left wing. The latter scored 8 goals to bring his tally to 11 against Szeged this season. They were joined by Jim Gottfridsson and the home favourite Johannes Golla.

On the other side, last weekend´s hero Stefan Sigurmannsson added “only” three in Flensburg and therefore the scoring responsibilities spread to more players, with the likes of Jorge Maqueda and Richard Bodo leading on the scoreboard for Szeged from the back court with Bence Banhidi adding four on the line.

The game was decided in the final ten minutes. With the shot efficiency almost equal, it was all about details. At 24:23 to the hosts with little more than five minutes remaining, Szeged twice hit the post and despite Alilovic denying Rod, the home crowd erupted with joy when Marius Steinhauser scored. The first, and also the last goal he scored tonight, but the most important.

Flensburg controlled the rest of the game as Szeged were unable to respond.