SG Flensburg-Handewitt has held onto second place in the DAIKIN HBL. On Saturday evening, they defeated TBV Lemgo Lippe 38–30 (21–17). The SG’s top scorers were Simon Pytlick (8), Lasse Møller (7), and Emil Jakobsen (7/2).
The excitement from Tuesday was still in the air. European Cup chants could be heard before the tip-off. But the focus was now on the DAIKIN HBL—and the start of the game was anything but perfect. In the first eight minutes, the SG managed just a single goal. Then Niclas Kirkeløkke scored two goals within seconds, but Blaž Blagotinšek had to leave the court and was treated for an injury to his face. The defense therefore had to be reorganized early on. The TBV capitalized on the momentum and led 9–7 after fifteen minutes. Then the home team went on a strong run, highlighted by several fast breaks. Domen Novak finished one of them to make it 11–9. The fans chanted his name as the visitors called a team timeout. Lemgo regrouped and tied the score several times, bringing it to 14:14. Benjamin Burić was now in goal. The defense made several key saves. Emil Jakobsen and Domen Novak put on a counterattack spectacle. Simon Pytlick extended the lead to 21:16 with a quick-fire double.
A 1-6 run is followed by a 7-0
run The SG entered the second half with a four-goal cushion. However, it took four minutes before “Hölle Nord” could celebrate its next success. The hosts were searching for their rhythm and were particularly vulnerable in defense around the circle. Suddenly, the score was 22:23. “Stand up if you’re Flensburg!” The team desperately needed the support from the stands. The cheering and a brief break worked like a miracle cure. Over the next eleven minutes, every Lemgo attack was repelled by Benjamin Burić at the latest, sending him and “Hölle Nord” into ecstasy. “He’s still soaring, completely detached,” boomed the loudspeakers when Johannes Golla scored. And that goal was really just a stepping stone. Ultimately, it was Emil Jakobsen who capped off the 7-0 run to make it 29-23. The game was decided; the SG raced to a clear victory. The North Stand chanted: “Ole, ole, Flensburg international!”
