Kiel Win All Three Trophies
In spite of many injuries of key players practically during the entire season, THW Kiel managed to close a fantastic season this weekend by winning the German championship. With this title, the North German club made an amazing triple success this season.
The “Zebras” won German Cup, then they took the Champions League trophy for the first time ever – the second German team in the CL history. On Saturday THW completed their tremendous collection by winning the German Championship for the second time in succession and for the 11th time in their history. These 11 Bundesliga titles are record in Germany.
 Difficult "match point"
It was not easy for THW to score the “match point” in the last round, however. Kiel were standing with equal points with HSV Hamburg and with much better goal difference. Kiel had to winagainst HSG Nordhorn to become champions, but Nordhorn were still fighting for the fourth and last German Champions League place for next season.
And Nordhorn did well in the first half in front of 10,250 spectators – a packed Ostseehalle. The visitors were leading most of the first half hour and the score at half time was even, 14-14.
As HSV were leading clearly in their away game against Frisch Auf Göppingen, it was obvious that Kiel had to win to secure the title.
And Kiel made it. As the second half progressed, the hosts became more and more dominant and won 34-28. HSV´s 36-32 away win over Göppingen was not enough. Kiel and their fans could celebrate the victory in the Ostseehalle and in the Kieler Rathausplatz.
Changes next season
 “This is almost unbelievable. To win three trophies makes us believe that we can achieve anything,” said THW Kiel’s Swedish veteran, Stefan Lövgren after the match.
Lövgren will stay with Kiel next season, but others will not. There will be several changes in the roster.
Pivot Pelle Linders will return to Denmark, where he played six seasons for KIF Kolding before joining THW two years ago. This time the Swedish international is going to play for FC København Håndbold.*
Danish international, Lars Krogh Jeppesen, will also be leaving. The 28-year old left back has been injured for most of his first season with the club and the parties have agreed to terminate their contract.
“THW Kiel and the Dane, who joined from FC Barcelona in the summer of 2006, have agreed to terminate the three-year contract before time,” the Kiel management announced in an official statement.
Lars Krogh Jeppesen is now going home to Denmark where several league clubs have expressed their interest in the backcourt player.
As Kiel won the Champions League, Germany will have four teams in the CL group phase next season. Apart from THW Kiel, HSV, SG Flensburg Handewitt and VfL Gummersbach will play for the CL trophy.
* The EHF Transfer Department confirms the transfer news of Pelle Linders who recieved a contract from 01.07.2007 to 30.06.2010 from FC København Håndbold.
TEXT: Peter Bruun
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