The SG Flensburg-Handewitt sent their fans into the weekend with a victory. They beat HSG Wetzlar 35:31 (20:17) on Friday evening. The SG's top scorers were Patrick Volz (10/1) and Marko Grgić (7/2).
DAIKIN HBL points were finally at stake again in the GP JOULE Arena. Simon Pytlick raced through a gap in the very first attack and shortly afterwards Marko Grgić peppered the ball into the net. It looked as if the SG would quickly make things clear in the first few sequences. However, the visitors from Wetzlar were then more consistent, while the home side made a few mistakes. HSG led 8:7 in the "Hell North", but Johannes Golla turned the tide. His anthem "Völlig losgelöst" ("Completely detached") seemed to spur on his team, which conjured up a 9:2 run. Patrick Volz, who was in the starting line-up like Aksel Horgen, made it 12:9 and Marko Grgić increased the lead to 16:10. The "Hell North" was raging. It had become clear, as Benjamin Burić was able to sprinkle in several saves. The SG was unable to add to its tally in the final five minutes of the first half, allowing Wetzlar to catch up in a high-scoring encounter.
All timeouts used up after 50 minutes
Benjamin Burić saved the first ball right after the restart, but the players in front of him did not immediately regain their consistency. As three turnovers in a row piled up, the cushion suddenly shrank to 22:21. Perhaps the follow-up goal was a wake-up call: At least things were going a little better again. Lasse Møller scored to make it 26:22. "Ole, ole", sang the fans, only to tear their hair out several times shortly afterwards. It was a strange rollercoaster ride that evening. There was no goal for six minutes, then Patrick Volz was on hand. The SG called its last team timeout with just over ten minutes remaining: The score was 29:27 and the SG did not allow Wetzlar to get any closer. Niclas Kirkeløkke snapped up the ball in defense. Patrick Volz snapped up a rebound and scored to make it 32:28. The final sequences were accompanied by chants of victory. The two points were in the bag and it was time to celebrate in "Hell North".
