SG Flensburg-Handewitt has advanced to the round of 16 in the DHB Cup. On Wednesday evening, after a nail-biting match at VfL Lübeck-Schwartau, they won 38–35 (16–19). The SG’s top scorers were Simon Pytlick (11) and Aymeric Minne (8).
For their partner club, it was the game of the year. The Hansehalle had been sold out long before game day. The entrance of both teams was correspondingly emotional. VfL sat out the injured Magnus Holpert. The Flensburg native was thus absent, while the SG started with their Lübeck native in goal: Simon Möller. His teammates had the first good scoring opportunities of the game. Then the VfL fought back. At 7–5, the “Hansehölle” was boiling over. Aymeric Minne tied the score with a lightning-fast one-two punch. The SG couldn’t get the game under control. With the score tied at 9–9 after 16 minutes, Aleš Pajović made a backcourt lineup change during a team timeout. Nevertheless, the SG’s formidable backcourt defense failed to gain momentum. The hosts from Lübeck were on a roll and led 19–16 at halftime. Benjamin Burić and Blaž Blagotinšek had joined the fray by then, but the defense still couldn’t stabilize.
A decisive 7–1 run
. When play resumed, the deficit suddenly stood at four goals. The same was true at 20–24. The fans rallied emotionally: “Come on, Flensburg! Fight and win!” A few encouraging plays followed. Aksel Horgen finished a fast break, Benjamin Burić saved a penalty throw, and Simon Möller, who had re-entered the game, stopped a couple of open shots by Lübeck. Simon Pytlick was then able to tie the score at 27–27. Aymeric Minne scored to make it 29–28, giving Flensburg its first lead since the opening minutes, and enjoyed the cheers of the SG fans as he ran back. Things were going better now. Simon Pytlick scored again: The 31:28 goal capped off a 7:1 run. But the victory wasn’t in the bag yet. The SG had to continue to execute their attacks with focus. Marko Grgić found an opening on the right wing. 35–32—the visitors held on to their lead. Incidentally, the draw for the Round of 16 will take place on Saturday following the 117th regional derby.
