In the battle for a spot in the upcoming EHF Champions League, every point counts for SG Flensburg-Handewitt. When they face MT Melsungen on Friday, the goal is to defend their second-place position in the DAIKIN HBL with another home win. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. at the GP JOULE Arena.
The season can still end on a high note for MT Melsungen. While the North Hessians finished last season’s DAIKIN HBL in a record-breaking third place, the current campaign has been very sobering for much of the season. Things are looking up now, though. Currently in seventh place, MT is just one point behind TBV Lemgo Lippe and the spots that guarantee qualification for European competitions. In the EHF European League, they nearly fell to Fredericia in the playoffs, but now they have the chance to qualify for the EHF Finals in Hamburg for the second year in a row by defeating FC Porto in the quarterfinals. The Melsungen team has struggled with a string of injuries. Starting goalkeeper Nebojsa Simic, for instance, was sidelined until the second half of the season due to a torn cruciate ligament. Almost at the same time, Aaron Mensing returned after tearing his Achilles tendon. “It had been 369 days since I last stepped onto the court,” said the 28-year-old backcourt player, who played for SG Flensburg-Handewitt from 2021 to 2023.
Injury Woes and Changes
No question: Coach Roberto Garcia Parrondo had to improvise a lot. As early as September, only three options remained available for the backcourt—plus assistant coach Isaias Guardiola. Two short-term transfers bolstered the roster. Nevertheless, the team in North Hesse had to settle for a mid-table finish. “Considering the injury woes, we’re definitely not dissatisfied,” said MT board spokesman Andreas Mohr. There had already been a decisive change in the leadership in October: MT parted ways with sports director Michael Allendorf. A successor has been found: Jesper Larsson. The 52-year-old Swede, a former Bundesliga goalkeeper, was given a three-year contract. For financial reasons, the club will have to scale back somewhat next season. Five players have already been confirmed as departures. In return, four new players have been signed so far. It has been clear for over a year that SG captain Johannes Golla will play his home games in Kassel starting this summer. The announced transfer of Spanish backcourt player Daniel Dujshebaev, who currently still plays for the top Polish club KS Kielce, also caused a stir.
