The second half of the DAIKIN HBL season begins this weekend. The 18th matchday also brings the SG Flensburg-Handewitt its last away game in 2025, when it faces FRISCH AUF! Göppingen on Saturday at 6 pm.
The focus is on the future. The SG traveled by train from Magdeburg to southern Germany on Friday. The change of location also means a change of competition. Instead of the DHB Cup, it's now the DAIKIN HBL again - and the SG is not the underdog, but the second-placed team in the table, looking to consolidate its position in Göppingen. "We only have one day between two games, we have to gather our strength and somehow manage to give it our all for 60 minutes," explained SG coach Aleš Pajović. It was not yet possible to say on Friday afternoon whether Kent Robin Tønnesen will be fit again after his early withdrawal in Magdeburg.
Many draws in the chronicle
The SG won the first leg against FRISCH AUF! by 32:26 at the end of September, but now lacks the home court advantage that obviously makes a big difference in this encounter. The Northern Lights have not won in Göppingen since April 2019. Since then, there have been two narrow defeats and four draws. The two teams drew 27:27 in March. FRISCH AUF! has been on a downward spiral since mid-November and has not won in five games. "Göppingen is still a dangerous team," warned Aleš Pajović. "We have to deliver our performance." After the game, there is a long journey back north - on the team bus.