For the first time in over eight years, the GP JOULE Arena will host a national derby that is not about Bundesliga points. SG Flensburg-Handewitt will face THW Kiel in the EHF European League on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 18:45.
The actual training session on Monday morning was shorter and more regenerative than usual, with the focus on a tactical discussion. The most important thing for Aleš Pajović is this realization. "Everyone is healthy, there are no new injuries - so we're sticking with our current squad," said the SG coach. On the way back from yesterday's away game in Hamburg, he watched what his upcoming opponents were up to. THW Kiel actually became the first team to beat SC Magdeburg this season, doing so by 31:29. "They really played with a lot of fire," said Aleš Pajović. "The back line is very variable and the goalkeeping duo is outstanding." Although national keeper Andreas Wolff had to be substituted after just a few minutes due to a hit to the head, Spaniard Gonzalo Perez de Vargas showed his skills instead.
Winning the season is a tempting goal
The 114th national derby will be played under a slightly different banner than most previous editions: EHF European League instead of DAIKIN HBL. "We don't need to beat around the bush," says Aleš Pajović. "The team and the club want to win two points, as always, and the arena will be full." In short: Everyone is fired up for the Schleswig-Holstein classic. The mode: Both the SG and THW took four points from the preliminary round - achieved in the games against Bidasoa Irun and Montpellier HB respectively. The SG will play Montpellier twice on the next three Tuesdays and then finally in Kiel. The runners-up and third-placed teams would have to enter a play-off round at Easter time, while the winners of the season would go straight through to the quarter-finals. An attractive goal to save two games and a potentially long journey on the way to Hamburg. Two quick tips: There are still a few standing-room tickets available for the 114th national derby. Also, due to the winter weather, there are probably fewer parking spaces available than usual in the area of the GP JOULE Arena.