SG Flensburg-Handewitt have defended their top spot in Group A of the EHF European League. On Tuesday evening, they won 33:32 (17:17) at Irudek Bidasoa Irun. In northern Spain, Emil Jakobsen (10/4) and Marko Grgić (6) were the top scorers for the SG.
Only 14 SG players in-ran at the opening ceremony. Lukas Jørgensen and Luca Witzke were once again unable to take part. Instead, Mats Olsson was on the bench. The goalkeeping coach enjoyed something of a home game in his adopted home in northern Spain. Kevin Møller started for his two protégés. Although he was able to keep a clean sheet for almost four minutes, the SG did not get off to a good start - the offense was initially too error-prone. The 6-0 defense did a solid job, but was too rarely rewarded. Marko Grgić with a breakthrough, Emil Jakobsen with a seven-meter penalty and Domen Novak from the right wing - the visitors seemed to have gained momentum with a series of threes to make it 10:8. However, a couple of slippages on the apparently slippery floor quickly eroded the small cushion. The SG was almost constantly outnumbered just before the break and had to be content with a 17:17 draw going into the break.
Everything saved in the last ten minutes
Some fans had taken the opportunity to set up camp in northern Spain and hang two Viking flags on the stands. What kind of second half-time would they see in Irun? Well, the restart was not to their liking at first. After just 50 seconds, the goalkeeper Benjamin Burić had already scored twice. A few minutes later, the deficit was already four goals. It was important in this phase that Benjamin Burić was able to save a seven-meter penalty. When Emil Jakobsen converted two fast breaks in quick succession, it looked like the game would turn around in quick succession. Aleš Pajović then pressed the buzzer at 22:25. However, his team did not really get a grip on the game. Kevin Møller returned to goal with twelve minutes remaining. The change proved to be spot on. Irun failed to score for almost eight minutes. It was a completely different story for the SG: Niclas Kirkeløkke even celebrated a hat-trick to make it 31:30, the first lead in the second half. Simon Pytlick increased the lead with energy. The Dane kept a cool head, acted skillfully and took a courageous shot with 25 seconds left on the clock. The 33rd goal was the golden one of the evening.