SG Flensburg-Handewitt dropped two crucial points in the race for second place in the DAIKIN HBL. Three days after their bitter defeat in Magdeburg, they suffered a 33-37 (16-19) loss at TVB Stuttgart. The SG’s top scorers were Marko Grgić (7), Emil Jakobsen (6), and Domen Novak (6/3).
In summer-like temperatures in Stuttgart, the SG got off to a poor start. One shot flew wide of the goal, another hit the post. This was compounded by a bad pass, and there was a lack of cohesion in the defense. Very quickly, the score was 5:1 in favor of the Bittenfeld team. Niclas Kirkeløkke, Domen Novak, and Marko Grgić scored the first goals for the SG. The third man in the backcourt was initially Lasse Møller, who set up Johannes Golla perfectly at the circle. The captain narrowed the gap to 6-7. However, the roughly 100 SG fans in attendance could see that their favorites weren’t getting a handle on the game. After 15 minutes, they trailed 9-11, 11-14 after 20 minutes, and even 12-16 after 24 minutes. The SG was searching for its rhythm. Benjamin Burić helped out with a few saves. Emil Jakobsen narrowed the gap to 16:18 from the left wing. It was frustrating that they conceded another goal practically as the halftime buzzer sounded.
The turnaround was followed by mistakes
. No question: a better performance in the second half was needed for a win in Stuttgart. Niclas Kirkeløkke started the second half very well: two goals and a penalty he drew. Less helpful, however, was the fact that Emil Jakobsen and Marko Grgić failed to convert their penalties. At least Marko Grgić buried the follow-up shot to make it 19:21. Shortly after, the SG launched two fast breaks in a row. Johannes Golla scored, then Emil Jakobsen as well—and the score was now just 21:22. Stuttgart relied heavily on a four-backcourt player formation, but couldn’t prevent falling behind for the first time at 25:26. Emil Jakobsen was highly efficient in open play, while Domen Novak now stepped up to take the penalty throws. The momentum was actually on the SG’s side when a few mistakes crept in again. A 1-7 run proved to be disastrous. Shortly afterward, the SG trailed 29-35—a deficit that could no longer be overcome, even with an open defense.
