The SG Flensburg-Handewitt got off to a successful start in the EHF European League. They defeated the French representative Saint-Raphael Var Handball 32:30 (16:15) on Tuesday evening. The SG's top scorers were Lasse Møller (6) and Emil Jakobsen (6/1).
Three nights lay between the 113th national derby and the EHF European League opener. The GP JOULE Arena had a completely different branding and the SG faced a less familiar opponent. They not only had an enormous size amplitude in the second row, but also dangerous backcourt players. An open exchange of blows developed with the lead changing hands at first. Emil Jakobsen, who had been named Europe's best left wing last season before kick-off, made it 9:8. The SG then went through a small valley. The 6:0 cover got little grip. Lukas Jørgensen was missing. He was ruled out at short notice due to back problems. After 18 minutes, Benjamin Burić had already had to pick the ball out of the net twelve times. Kevin Møller was in charge of the goal from then on. His first action: a saved seven-meter penalty. This save was an initial spark for more efficient defensive work. Niclas Kirkeløkke, who also came into the game alongside Marko Grgic, made it 15:14 with a double strike. The team went into the break with a small cushion.
Decision in the last ten minutes
After the restart, the SG returned to its starting line-up at the back, although its shooting percentage dropped slightly. As a result, the visitors were able to turn the tide. The score was 20:21 for Saint-Raphael when Micke Brasseleur, the French club's top scorer, limped to the bench after a treatment break and was no longer able to play a part. It remained exciting. The goalkeepers were now enjoying the game more. The hosts had made a change on the flanks at the break. However, Emil Jakobsen returned briefly with a quarter of an hour remaining and sparked a 4:0 run to make it 23:23. His teammate Patrick Volz stretched the gap to 27:24 with his first ever European Cup goal, but Saint-Raphael equalized shortly afterwards. The SG now operated with seven field players. Blaž Blagotinšek went down low at the opposing pivot, got hold of the ball and squeezed it into the net to make it 28:27. Marko Grgic and Aksel Horgen scored. Things looked much better at 31:28. When Lasse Møller added another goal, the game was over.
