Tomorrow, Tuesday, will determine whether the defending champions of the EHF European League will once again compete in the EHF Finals. The second leg of the quarterfinal match against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf kicks off at 6:45 p.m.
The score was 39-39 on Wednesday. Now a decision must be made. If the game is tied again after 60 minutes, the winner will be determined by a penalty shootout. “We certainly have candidates, but I hope it doesn’t come to that,” says SG coach Aleš Pajović with a smile. “We’re very well prepared and want to be on our game right from the start to deliver our best performance.” With the exception of Luca Witzke and Lukas Jørgensen, all players are expected to be available. Unlike the SG, Hannover had to play over the weekend. The “Recken” lost 29-30 to Bergischer HC. But tomorrow, Tuesday, they will certainly be playing with a very different level of motivation: the team from Lower Saxony can only achieve something this season in the EHF European League. The SG can still aim for its main goal—qualification for the EHF Champions League—by finishing second in the DAIKIN HBL, but a title is now only possible on the European stage. “We have a top-tier team where the players are used to handling pressure,” says Aleš Pajović.
In-depth analysis
The time since Wednesday has been spent on an in-depth analysis of the first 60 minutes and making adjustments. Naturally, the focus was on the 6-0 defense, which often looked shaky in one-on-one situations. The coaching staff also identified some shortcomings in the team’s defensive retreat. And despite scoring 39 goals, a few specific issues were addressed regarding the offense as well. Even if everything goes better, Aleš Pajović doesn’t believe the final score will be “under 30.” “The high tempo at which we play is an important part of our system,” emphasizes the head coach. Unlike in early April, the SG will not be heading toward the convention center in Hanover, but to the stadium. This time, the “Recken” will take the court at the Swiss Life Hall, which is sold out with a crowd of over 4,000 spectators.