Following their narrow defeat, SG Flensburg-Handewitt will only be back in the north for a very short time. Their next away game kicks off on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. – this time against TVB Stuttgart.
Friday was a day of recovery for the SG—and of mental fortitude. It’s not every day that you lose despite a strong performance—and then in such an unfortunate manner, to boot, with Magdeburg’s championship celebration serving as the backdrop. A look at the standings is sobering as well: The SG has lost second place in the DAIKIN HBL. They are tied on points but trail Füchse Berlin by a goal difference of 52 goals. However, the starting point for the final sprint hasn’t changed much at all. Provided both rivals for the runner-up spot—which guarantees a ticket to the next EHF Champions League—don’t slip up repeatedly over the next two matchdays, there will be a “real” final in the capital on June 7.
Tough Task for the Defense
First, the conditions for the showdown must be met. While the Füchse Berlin have this weekend off and will not play until next Friday in Eisenach, the SG must travel to Stuttgart. There have already been two matches against the South Germans this season. In early September, the two teams played to a 29-29 draw; in early November, the northerners won 35-29 in the south—it was the round of 16 in the DHB Cup. “This will be a tough task for our defense, as Stuttgart plays a lot with four backcourt players and one-on-one situations,” says Aleš Pajović. “But if we can replicate our performance from Magdeburg, then we can look ahead with optimism.” For Marko Grgić, this match holds special significance. He will face his father, Danijel, who serves as Stuttgart’s assistant coach.