SG Flensburg-Handewitt are now definitely among the 16 participants in the main round of the EHF European League. They won 36:29 (17:15) at Saint-Raphael Var Handball on Tuesday evening. The SG's top scorers were Marko Grgić (10/2), Simon Pytlick (7) and Johannes Golla (7).
The SG did not enjoy a particularly hot atmosphere in Saint-Raphael. It was the visitors who started in a more structured manner and showed better retreat behavior. Marko Grgić and Johannes Golla opened the scoring. The home side shook off their opening lethargy with a goal from an acute angle. It was now a dance at eye level. Saint-Raphael took the lead for the first time at 8:7. The SG made a mistake in the next positional attack, which Kevin Møller made up for with a daring save. Patrick Volz was quickly back in front, proved to be accurate and turned the tide again with a double strike. There was a lot of pace in the game. However, the yield remained within reason, as both keepers had already made a double-digit number of saves in the first half. Kevin Møller even made 15 saves. No wonder the SG led 17:15 at the break.
On the way to deciding the game after 40 minutes
A long-range shot by Johannes Golla only crossed the goal line shortly after the half-time buzzer. SG goal number 18 was therefore only scored after 32 minutes: Marko Grgić converted a seven-meter penalty to give his side an 18:17 lead. Kent Robin Tønnesen made the most of the next chance to score from distance. The numerous SG fans who had made the journey cheered to make it 19:17. Their favorites by no means played flawlessly, but were at least in control of the game. Kevin Møller now had 20 saves to his name. His teammates took advantage of a six-minute goal drought by Saint-Raphael to extend their lead. Marko Grgić finished with impressive determination from the backcourt - 24:20. He shone several times with his coolness. Blaz Blagotinšek was sent off with twelve minutes remaining: his third time penalty. However, the SG was no longer embarrassed. It was able to thank Kevin Møller, who saved another seven-meter penalty to make it 25:29. Simon Pytlick added another on the counterattack. The two points were in safe harbor.