The SG Flensburg-Handewitt won against THW Kiel for the fifth time in a row. After the 36:34 victory, Kevin Møller had a special task: as master of ceremonies in the north stand. The sound bites.
Aleš Pajović, SG Coach: "Derby wins are something special. We actually started well in the first half, but we had some problems with our transition defense. Kiel exploited that very well with their quick play. Towards the end of the first half-time, we missed a few hundred percent chances. Then we told ourselves that we wanted to give everything in the second 30 minutes of this home game. It was important today that Benko and Kevin made good saves. Our 6-0 defense deserves special praise. It's not always easy against seven field players. And our offense first had to solve THW's 5:1 defense."
Filip Jicha, Coach THW Kiel: "It was two very different half-times. In the first half, the offense kept a very cool head in the pressure situations that arise in a game like this. The decisive phase of the game came right after half-time with the score at 2:9. We tried too hard to use the crowbar against SG's defense. We should have played smarter and bolder, but we were too static. Flensburg then came out with emotion. You have to expect it to be unfair. Then you have to stand your ground, but we didn't manage to do that and we carried it over into our defense. We have to take another step in our development. The ten technical faults we had are an incredible burden for a top game."
Kent Robin Tønnesen, SG left-hander: "A derby like this is a really great feeling. The atmosphere was outstanding for the entire 60 minutes. We prepared very well and played well. We were three goals behind at the break, but still had good chances to turn the game around."
Lasse Møller, SG backcourt ace: "I'm always up for handball - and even more so in a derby like this. It was a strong mental performance from us. We missed a few free throws towards the end of the first half. At half-time, we told ourselves that we had to keep our confidence in our game. And that's what we did."
Kevin Møller, SG goalkeeper: "It's a great honor to be able to join the fans in the North Stand. And it's a great honor to play a derby. I had luck on my side at the start of the second half and the cover in front of me worked very well. Some now see us as leaders of the table, but I'm counting on minus points, so SC Magdeburg is ahead. But that doesn't mean anything because the season is still so long."
Domen Novak, SG right wing: "It may not have always looked pretty, but in a derby like this only the two points count. The defense was better in the second half and the offense was very efficient."